Man rescued after five hours under earth embankment

• A layer of sand-mixed soil suddenly gave way, burying the victim
• Man was pulled out alive after hours of coordinated work

By Krishan Jeewak Jayaruk 

A man trapped under a collapsed earth embankment while digging a pit in the Eliyakanda area in Matara was rescued after a five-hour operation on the night of February 22, police said. 

The incident occurred around 4.00 p.m. near the coastal belt when a layer of sand-mixed soil suddenly gave way and buried the victim while he was excavating a pit close to his restaurant. 

Acting on information received, rescue teams from the Matara Municipal Council Fire Brigade, the Matara District Disaster Management Centre, the 1990 ambulance service, the Sri Lanka Army, Matara Police and area residents jointly launched an emergency operation. A backhoe machine was also deployed to assist the effort. 

After several hours of coordinated work, the victim was pulled out alive at around 9.00 p.m. and admitted to the Matara General Hospital. 

Hospital sources said the man’s condition is improving.