Tunnel collapse: Sniffer dog to be used to locate trapped men as muck solidifying

As sludge started solidifying inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel in Telangana, part of which collapsed trapping eight people, rescuers are planning to use sniffer dogs to locate those got trapped, District Collector B Santhosh said on Wednesday.

The official said the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) is expected to give their point of view on Wednesday on the stabilisation of soil and other issues, based on which the action plan would be drafted.

Santhosh said the teams were able to reach up to the accident spot inside the tunnel using a thermal fishing boat.

"Initially there was a hurdle of 40 metres (from the accident spot). The sludge was there. But that has solidified now to the maximum extent. So the team could go up to the accident spot…So we have a sniffer dog. We will take it. So with the dog's help, we will try to locate (those trapped)," the official told PTI. He said the priority is to locate the individuals.

The collector said the officials are expecting the conveyor belt to function on Wednesday and for further excavation some space has to be created at the Tunnel Boring Machine.

According to him, the team which reached the exact accident site last night tried to communicate with the trapped persons but there was no response.

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy are holding discussions with the rescue officials on the plan of action.

The persons remain trapped for fifth day as the accident occurred on February 22.