Video Producer: Mamta
Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam
Video Inputs: Muneeb-ul-Islam
At least two people are reported to be dead with several others suspected to be trapped under debris after an under-construction tunnel collapsed at the Khooni Nala in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night, 19 May.
"Around 10:15 pm on Thursday, the audit tunnel of T3 on the highway near Khooni Nalla in Ramban collapsed, trapping 11-12 labourers of Sarla Company working there," a senior official told PTI.
At least three workers have been rescued so far, and have been admitted to the hospital with injuries, news agency PTI reported, citing officials.
The incident took place on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in the Makerkote area of Ramban, where a rescue operation is underway, as per the J&K Disaster Management Authority.
Ramban SSP Mohita Sharma told ANI, "Seven to eight more people could be trapped there. The rescue operation is going on swiftly. We are nearing the end of the operation."
Meanwhile, a portion of a mountain fell apart on Friday near the site of the rescue operation.
The Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) also joined the relief efforts after a small portion of about 30 to 40 metres inside the entrance of the tunnel collapsed.
Personnel of the 15th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) along with a sniffer dog of the force also have joined rescue operations.
"The incident took place last night. We reached the spot, 3 were rescued, and 8-9 are still trapped. More debris is coming as we are clearing the already lying rubble. We'll be rescuing the trapped labourers through triage," an official of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said, news agency ANI reported.
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ADGP Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh, is supervising the rescue operations.
J&K LG Takes Stock of Rescue Efforts via Video Call
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha took stock of the rescue operation on Friday through a video call with Ramban District Development Commissioner Mussarat Islam, reported ANI
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that he was in constant touch with Ramban Deputy Commissioner Massaratul Islam.
"Unfortunate incident of collapse of an under construction tunnel on National Highway stretch between Ramban and Ramsu in district Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir. I’m in constant touch with DC Sh Mussrat Islam. Nearly 10 labour workers trapped under the debris. Another 2 rescued and hospitalised with injuries. Rescue operations going on in full swing. Civil administration and Police authorities are monitoring the situation," he tweeted.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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