00:15A tragic landslide at a tunnel construction site in Kerala's Vainar district has claimed
00:21at least two lives, as rescue teams continue an intensive search for survivors trapped under
00:26debris. The incident occurred at the Kaladi tunnel construction site following heavy monsoon
00:32rains, triggering a massive collapse that buried workers and brought construction activity
00:38to a standstill. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chenithala has directed the Fire Force Chief
00:44and the Vainar district police chief to intensify rescue operations and ensured that every possible
00:50effort is made to locate those still missing.
00:53Conforming the tragedy, Kerala Health Minister K. Mullidhan said that the deaths have been
00:59officially confirmed. He added that rescue operations will continue once access roads to the affected
01:05area are fully cleared. The Health Minister also stated that all hospitals in Vainar have been
01:12instructed to provide immediate treatment to the injured workers, many of whom are migrant
01:17laborers from outside Kerala. Ambulances have been stationed at the site to ensure swift medical
01:23assistance. Eight injured workers have already been rescued and shifted to Mepadi Wims Hospital for
01:30treatment. Officials have identified them as Hira Kumar, Dili, Suraj Yadav, Sanjay Thakur, Rajmeesh,
01:39Tanmay Ghosh, Kukmal, also known as Daya, and Kunju. According to authorities, their treatment is underway.
01:48As a precautionary measure, a relief camp has been opened at the Chulika Government ALP School,
01:55where residents from nearby vulnerable areas are being relocated. Reacting to the incident, Kerala
02:02Chief Minister V. D. Saathisan described the collapse as an unfortunate disaster. He alleged
02:09that the contractors failed to comply with repeated instructions from authorities to remove excavated
02:15salt from the site despite warnings issued by the District Disaster Management Authority.
02:21Meanwhile, Kerala Minister T. Siddique alleged that the landslide was not a natural disaster but a
02:27man-made one caused by negligence. He claimed that district authorities had earlier warned
02:33Konkan Railways in writing about the possibility of a landslide and had advised preventive measures,
02:39but no action was taken. According to Siddique, six people sustained serious injuries,
02:46although they are reported to be in stable condition. He confirmed that to National Disaster
02:51Response Force teams, comprising 60 personnel from Vainard and Kojikod,
02:56have been deployed to carry out search and rescue operations. The minister also said that both he
03:03and State Minister A. P. Anil Kumar were heading to the accident site while the district collector was
03:09already supervising rescue efforts on the ground. Drawing parallels with the devastating Mundakya
03:15landslide that claimed nearly 300 lives two years ago, Siddique said such lapses could not be tolerated
03:22and called for accountability. Revenue Minister A. P. Anil Kumar confirmed that rescue operations had begun
03:30immediately after the incident and stated that a team of 30 NDRF personnel had already reached the site.
03:37He added that the government was collecting detailed information before making further announcements.
03:44Kerala Chief Secretary Beshwanath Sinha said that any decision regarding central assistance would depend on a
03:50full assessment of the damage. He noted that disaster management funding mechanisms are already in
03:56place and assured that the state government would take all necessary steps to support relief and
04:02rehabilitation efforts. Rescue operations continue at the landslide hit tunnel project as authorities
04:09race against time to locate any remaining trapped workers while the state prepares for a detailed
04:14investigation into the circumstances that led to the deadly collapse.
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