Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 -- Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday said the collapse at the Wayanad tunnel construction site was an "unfortunate disaster" and alleged that contractors had failed to comply with repeated directions from the authorities to remove excavated soil, even after warnings from the District Disaster Management Authority.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said debris accumulated during excavation for the Wayanad-Kalladi tunnel construction site slid down following heavy rainfall, blocking roads. Several people were reported to have been injured after being struck by the debris as per preliminary reports.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state police and Fire and...