Hyderabad, March 1 (NationPress) The mission to save eight individuals trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district reached its final phase on Saturday, following the tragic event a week earlier. The government has denied allegations regarding the discovery of bodies.

Ambulances were stationed close to the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel as rescue teams intensified desilting and machine-cutting operations.

Rescue teams, including personnel from the Army, Navy, NDRF, SDRF, Singareni Mines Rescue, Fire Services, National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), HYDRAA, and South Central Railway, utilized plasma cutters and Rat Miners to concentrate efforts on five locations identified by the NGRI using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).

NGRI experts detected some soft material beneath the debris in the last 10-15 meters of the tunnel but could not confirm if it belonged to the trapped individuals. Five to seven-meter-high silt deposits must be removed at these identified spots.

The rescue workers were also engaged in repairing the conveyor belt. Once operational, it is anticipated that the pace of rescue activities will accelerate.

Officials noted that persistent water seepage posed the greatest challenge to rescue operations.

Nagarkurnool District Collector Badavath Santosh refuted claims late Friday night that bodies had been found, urging the media to refrain from spreading unverified news that could cause alarm.

“NGRI has pinpointed specific areas, but we cannot guarantee their accuracy. It could be metal or something else. We are proceeding based on their findings,” said the Collector.

To enhance the rescue process, authorities are employing a comprehensive strategy utilizing cutting-edge technology. Water from the accident site is being pumped out, and debris is cleared with plasma gas cutters, according to officials.

Essential rescue equipment is being prepared to ensure prompt operations. The conveyor belt will be operational soon, and excavators are ready to remove the sludge.

Special cameras and sensors are continuously monitoring the internal conditions of the tunnel.

Two workers sustained injuries while eight others were trapped when a section of the tunnel roof collapsed on February 22 at the 14th km marker.

The trapped individuals have been identified as Manoj Kumar (UP), Sri Niwas (UP), Sunny Singh (J&K), Gurpreet Singh (Punjab), and Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, and Anuj Sahau, all from Jharkhand.

Among the eight, two are engineers, two are operators, and the remaining four are laborers.

They were employed by Jaiprakash Associates, the contractor for the tunnel project.