Bhatkal: Confirming that a truck was buried in the debris from a landslide that occurred on Tuesday during heavy rain on the Shirur National Highway in Ankola taluk, 90 km from here, the Uttara Kannada district administration, with the help of the bomb disposal squad, has taken action to identify the location of the buried lorry using metal detectors. The work to find the truck is currently underway.

Further confirmation has been received that a Benz truck is buried under the debris, and it is highly likely that the missing driver is also trapped inside.

Noticing signs that the truck is buried and the possibility that the driver may be alive, a team of detectors from Kerala has also reached the site. An additional JCB has been deployed to remove the soil at the suspected burial location. Sources indicate that efforts are being made to determine whether the driver is still inside the lorry or may have been swept away.

GPS data reveals that the truck was at the accident site when the landslide occurred. The vehicle, carrying timber logs from Dandeli, was en route to Kerala. The driver, Arjun, had stopped at a hotel for tea and snacks when the landslide struck, causing both him and the truck to go missing. GPS trackers suggest the truck is trapped under the debris of mud and rocks.

Driver's Phone Still Ringing:
The search operation for the missing truck and driver continues. Arjun's family has traveled from Kerala to the accident site, holding onto hope that he will be found alive. Reports indicate that until Friday morning, Arjun's phone was still ringing, and its location was traced to the Shirur area. It is said that the family received Arjun's last call from near the hotel where the landslide occurred. Upon hearing about the accident, they attempted to contact him, but he did not answer, prompting them to travel to Ankola. The phone's activity until Friday morning has given them hope that Arjun might still be alive under the debris.

Possibility of Arjun's Survival:
Regarding Arjun's potential survival, an officer from the contractor company IRB, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that if the driver was inside the truck when the rocks fell, the advanced technology of the Benz truck could mean that the vehicle's lock automatically sealed from the inside. If so, Arjun could potentially survive inside the truck for up to eight days. Additionally, as the debris is gradually removed, the pressure on the truck is decreasing, allowing its GPS and other systems to reactivate. This raises hopes that the driver might be found alive once the debris is fully cleared.

Efforts by SP and DC:
Speaking to journalists, Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police M. Narayan stated that following the landslide in Ankola on Tuesday, a total of seven bodies have been recovered so far. Now, the focus is on locating the lorry driver from Kerala, Arjun, who is believed to be buried in the debris. Every effort is being made to rescue him and save his life. He mentioned that continuous heavy rain has been a hindrance, but the work is ongoing. Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya, along with several other officers, was also present at the site.

Deputy IGP's Visit:
Western Range Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Amit Singh visited the accident site to review the debris removal process. He gathered detailed information about the incident from Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya, SP M. Narayan, and other senior officials from the Revenue and Police Departments.

Kerala Chief Minister's Appeal:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sent a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, requesting the use of ground-penetrating radar to locate the missing truck and driver. He emphasized that Arjun's family is at the accident site, anxiously awaiting the outcome of the search operation.

One Side of the Road Cleared, But Not Open to Public:
After continuous work to remove debris for four days, one side of the road was cleared on Saturday, making it possible for vehicles to pass. However, the district administration has not opened the road for public use. It is reported that the road remains closed due to incessant rains and the potential for further landslides.