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Rescue Tool Used In Mumbai Landslide To Find Survivors (Img: X)
New Delhi: After a devastating landslide in Mumbai’s Kurla area claimed six lives, rescue teams deployed a specialised device called a victim location camera to search for survivors trapped under layers of debris.
The advanced rescue equipment is designed to detect human presence in narrow gaps and hidden spaces where rescuers cannot physically reach. It is commonly used during building collapses, earthquakes, landslides and other disaster situations.
A victim location camera is a compact search device fitted with a high-resolution camera mounted on a flexible or rigid probe. Rescue personnel insert the probe into small openings created between collapsed structures to inspect areas beneath the debris.
The camera is equipped with LED lights that help capture images even in extremely low-light conditions. The system can illuminate dark spaces and transmit live visuals to monitors used by rescue teams.
The device used in such operations generally features a 5-megapixel camera capable of capturing clear images inside damaged structures.
Unlike ordinary cameras, a victim location camera is equipped with additional features that help rescuers identify trapped people.
The system includes a microphone and speaker that allow rescue teams to listen for sounds such as cries, movement, breathing or calls for help from survivors trapped inside rubble. This makes it useful when victims are buried deep inside collapsed structures and cannot communicate directly with rescue workers.
The camera is attached to a telescopic probe that can extend several metres. Rescuers can push it through small gaps in concrete, soil or rubble to examine hidden spaces.
In situations where debris blocks access, a drilling machine can be used to create a small opening. The camera probe is then inserted through the hole to search for possible survivors. The system can also rotate in multiple directions, allowing rescue teams to scan wider areas without disturbing unstable debris.
Victim location cameras have become an important tool for disaster response agencies worldwide. They are used during earthquakes, collapsed buildings, mining accidents and landslides where traditional rescue methods may not immediately locate trapped victims.
The technology helps rescuers save crucial time by providing real-time information about conditions beneath the debris.
In the Mumbai landslide rescue operation, the device is being used along with teams from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, police and other emergency agencies to locate people who may still be trapped.
