1 dead, 9 others trapped as part of under-construction tunnel collapses in Jammu

JAMMU: A labourer died while nine others are feared trapped after a part of an under-construction tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway collapsed in Ramban district late on Thursday.
As many as three labourers also suffered injuries in the incident, officials said.
Police, army, SDRF and NDRF have launched a massive rescue operation soon after the incident.
"The removal of debris, including big boulders is a challenging task for the rescue teams which have already rescued three workers," they added.
"One body has been recovered from the site," the said.
"Divisional commissioner Ramesh Kumar, additional director general of police (ADGP) Mukesh Singh and DIG Sunil Gupta visited the site to supervise the ongoing rescue operation," officials said.
“At around 10.15pm, the part tunnel T3 caved in, near Khooni Nallah and over a dozen labourers of Sarla Company working at the site got trapped,” the officials said.
"Rescue operation is still going on and is likely take more time, as rock breakers are being used to create space to reach the trapped persons," they said.
"Three persons were rescued and were shifted to district hospital wherefrom one of them Vishnu Gola (33) of Jharkhand has been referred to Government Medical College in Jammu while Ameen (26) and another one are undergoing treatment in District Hospital," they said.
As per officials, the missing persons have been identified as Jadav Roy (23), Gautam Roy (22), Sudhir Roy (31), Dipak Roy (33), Parimal Roy (38), Shiva Chowhn (26), Nawaraj Chowdhury (26) and Kushi Ram (25), Muzaffar (38) and Israt (30).
Union minister Jitendra Singh termed the incident as "unfortunate".
"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," Singh tweeted.

When contacted, Jammu divisional commissioner Ramesh Kumar said, "The incident took place last night. We reached the spot and started rescue operation at 11pm."
"We have moibilised whole machinery for the rescue operation but big boulders are hampering the work. Rescue teams are doing their best," he said.