THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Efforts to rescue laborer Maharajan (55), who was trapped when the soil collapsed on Saturday morning while installing a concrete ring in a well at Mukkola, Vizhinjam, became difficult due to another soil collapse yesterday.

Workers saw Maharaja's hand yesterday evening while removing the soil. The collapse occurred again while the rescue operation was continuing with hope.

The fire force and the locals are working tirelessly to pull out Maharaja, a native of Tamil Nadu, who lives in Nellithara house in Venganur Neelakesi Road, trapped in a 90-feet deep well. Rescue operations are continuing late at night.

There is a strong water flow in the well making it difficult to move the soil. The rescue operation started at 10 am on Saturday. After 36 hours, the rescue operation was called off temporarily at 7 pm last night. Then, late at night, highly skilled laborers from Pooyappally, Kollam were brought in and they continued to move the earth. This is a team that has done similar rescue operations before.

The accident happened during the work of installing a concrete ring and installing a motor in the well of Sukumaran's house on Mukkola Shaktipuram Road. About 15 feet of earth fell on the Maharaja's body. The rings also broke. The remains of 16 rings were removed yesterday evening. Efforts are underway to remove the remaining soil.

The soil is removed by lowering the well construction workers with safety belt systems. The dislodged rings were hammered and broken into pieces and removed. It is concluded that Maharaja is under the motor in the well. The effort to get this out is going on.

Shekhar, Kannan, Mohan and Manikandan who were working with Maharaja had escaped.