VIZHINJAM: A 55-year-old man identified as Maharajan (55), a native of Tamil Nadu, who was trapped under the soil inside a well at Mulkola in Vizhinjam in the capital city, has been found. The incident happened while he was installing concrete rings inside the well. The workers engaged in rescue operations found Maharajan and the motor of the well. He can be brought out if two feet soil is removed.

The soil in the well fell on Maharajan at around 9 am on Saturday morning. The police, fire force and the locals were engaged in rescue operations. Highly expert workers from Pooyapally in Kollam, who have successfully carried out such tasks, were also brought to the spot yesterday.

The help of the national disaster management force was also made available at the spot. A 26-member team from Alappuzha came for the rescue operations. The soil gathered in the 90-feet-deep well was removed. Rescue operations conducted yesterday was difficult as the earth caved in. The accident happened when the earth caved in on Maharaja's body about 15 feet high. The rings of the well broke and fell on his body. The remains of 16 rings and soil were brought out. A strong flow in the well also affected the rescue operations.

The accident occurred while installing the concrete ring and motor in the well of Sukumaran's house at Aswathy Mukkola Shakthipuram Road. Shekhar, Kannan, Mohan and Manikandan who were with Maharajan had escaped.