VIZHINJAM: A worker got trapped when the soil collapsed while installing a concrete ring in the well. Efforts are continuing late into the night to evacuate the victim of the accident that occurred at Mukkola in Vizhinjam at around 9:30 am yesterday. The rescue operation is under the leadership of the fire force and the police.

Maharajan (55), a resident of Parvathipuram, Tamil Nadu, who has been living in Venganoor for more than 15 years, was involved in the accident. Manikandan (48), who was with him, survived. The work of removing the soil is going on along with replacing the concrete casing on the top of the well. The poor diameter of the well and unstable soil hampered the rescue operation.

20 casings were installed in the 90 feet deep well in the house at Venganoor Mukkola Peechottukonam. The work was being done halfway down in the well above the rings. Outside the well, three men were engaged in earth-moving work. Seeing a small mudslide, those on top called out to him to climb back up, but the old concrete casing in the middle of the well collapsed and the Maharaja fell down. Manikandan, who was holding on to the rope, climbed up.

Minister V Sivankutty and former minister A Neelalohithadasan reached the spot.