New Delhi: Several people are feared trapped after an under-construction tunnel collapsed on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in the Makerkote area of Ramban district late Thursday night. The incident happened during an audit of the tunnel which left four injured and several others trapped.
According to a report by news agency PTI, a small portion of the tunnel collapsed on the front side of the tunnel in Khoni nallah. The officials said that a rescue operation by the police and army has begun.
The Deputy Commissioner told news agency ANI, “A part of an under-construction tunnel collapsed at Khooni Nala, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Makerkote area of Ramban. six to seven feared trapped; one person rescued. Rescue operation is underway.”
As per ANI, 10 labourers are feared trapped under the debris, said the J&K Disaster Management Authority.
"I’m in constant touch with DC. Nearly 10 labour workers were trapped under the debris. Another 2 were rescued & hospitalised with injuries. Rescue operations are on. Civil administration & Police authorities are monitoring the situation," said Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
As the rescue operation continues, the machines and vehicles parked outside the tunnel including bulldozers and trucks suffered damage.
Ramban Deputy Commissioner Massaratul Islam and Senior Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma are at the spot, supervising the rescue operation, according to the officials, PTI reported.
The officials also said that those who are trapped inside the tunnel are the workers of the auditing company. A police officer told GNS that three persons were rescued and were shifted to district hospital Ramban wherefrom one of them— Vishnu Gola (33) Jharkhand has been referred to GMS Jammu for advanced treatment.
An official said, "At around 10.15 pm (on May 19), the Ajit tunnel of T3 caved-in, near Khooni Nallah Ramban, trapping more than a dozen labourers of Sarla Company working at the site."
“It is likely to take more time as rock breakers are being used to create space for reaching the trapped persons.” Asked about the possibility of the survival of the trapped, the officer said that nothing can be said with surety. “Rescue is on and hopefully we will reach them soon," the official added.
"The length of the tunnel is around 3 meters only and whether they are inside it or outside the tunnel area is not specifically known also. Debris is all-around. There are chances of suffocation also,” he said, adding, “the rescue operation has been going on since 12 a.m." He said it was a “delicate operation” as far as vulnerability is concerned.