Rescue teams today continued the race to save three workers buried alive in a collapsed train tunnel in Thailand.

Authorities have begun installing a 10x10ft metal tube through the underground railway project hoping to reach the trapped survivors in Nakhon Ratchasima province on August 28.

They had earlier added support frames and mortar to keep the tunnel from caving in further. They also used a four-foot-diametre 'rescue tube' to supply oxygen and emergency aid to the trio.

Rescue personnel believe they are close to reaching the location of the workers, with only around 10 feet of debris left to dig.

The three individuals were named as Chinese foreman, Hu Xiang Min, a Chinese backhoe operator, Dong Xin Lin, and a Myanmar truck driver.

The tunnel, set to link Thailand to China, reportedly caved in and trapped them despite no rain falling on August 24 evening.

The high-speed railway is envisioned to connect Bangkok to Kunming, China. The project was expected to be completed in 2028.