At least eight workers are feared trapped after a portion of an under-construction tunnel collapsed behind the Srisailam dam in Telangana on Saturday. The incident occurred on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) in Nagarkurnool district, where the workers were engaged in repairing a leak inside the tunnel.

According to officials, dozens of workers managed to escape, but at least eight remain unaccounted for. The collapse covered over 10 metres of the tunnel’s structure, spreading mud across a stretch of 200 metres.

“A portion of the SLBC tunnel near Domalapenta suffered a collapse at the 14th km point. The roof of the left-side tunnel caved in for nearly three meters while workers were carrying out their duties,” an official statement said.

The tunnel had reopened only four days ago before the accident took place, the statement added.

District Collector B Santosh confirmed that there has been no communication with those trapped, as internal contact systems have failed. Both the air chamber and conveyor belt inside the tunnel have collapsed, further complicating rescue efforts.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the incident, stating that several people were injured in the collapse. However, he did not provide an exact number of casualties.

“Upon receiving information about the tunnel collapse, I immediately directed the concerned officials to rush to the site and initiate relief efforts,” he said in an online post. The Chief Minister has instructed the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, Fire Department, and Irrigation Department officials to oversee the rescue operations.

Meanwhile, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar, along with senior department officials, has departed for the site in a special helicopter to monitor the situation.

Rescue operations are currently underway, with efforts focused on removing debris and re-establishing communication with the trapped workers.