Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the families of those killed in the landslide at the tunnel construction site near Kalladi in Meppadi Grama Panchayat, where rescue teams continue searching for five missing workers.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan announced the compensation during a press briefing as rescue operations entered their second day.

The landslide struck the construction site at around 11.15 am on Tuesday. Three workers were killed, while five others remain unaccounted for.

Search intensified as rescue enters second day

District authorities said the priority remains locating the five missing workers, who are believed to be employees of the contractor executing the tunnel project. Their accommodation was damaged in the landslide.

More than 500 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Rapid Response Force (RRF), Fire and Rescue Services and the local police have been deployed. The affected area has been divided into four sectors to streamline the search.

Specially trained cadaver dogs are being used to detect anyone trapped beneath the debris, while NDRF teams are carrying out aerial surveillance using drones. Heavy rain and dense fog continue to hamper rescue efforts.

Officials said additional volunteer teams are not required at present, as the operation is being coordinated by official agencies. The search, which continued through Tuesday night, resumed early on Wednesday.

Post-mortems completed; relief and medical support expanded

Post-mortem examinations of the three deceased workers, all migrant labourers, have been completed at Vythiri Taluk Hospital. A police surgeon was brought from Sulthan Bathery Taluk Hospital to speed up the procedures.

Health department teams, along with 108 ambulance services, remain deployed at the disaster site. Of the nine injured admitted to Meppadi WIMS Hospital, two have been discharged.

Seven people remain under treatment, including a site engineer from Ernakulam, whose injuries are not serious. Two patients with multiple fractures are receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

A control room has been opened at Meppadi Community Health Centre. Authorities have also shifted 142 people from 42 families to a relief camp at Meppadi Polytechnic, where healthcare personnel have been stationed. Ambulances and medical teams will continue to remain on standby at the site, with health services available round the clock.