A tunnel under construction for a hydropower project in the Indian state of Sikkim collapsed following a methane gas explosion and a landslide that blocked the entrance, resulting in at least 10 deaths and about 15 workers and officials trapped inside.
A tunnel under construction at the Teesta Stage VI hydropower project by NHPC in the Samardung area of Jorethang, Namchi district, Sikkim, northeast India, collapsed today, causing at least 10 deaths and trapping several workers inside the tunnel.
Ms. Anupa Tamling, the Namchi district magistrate, stated that the confirmed death toll is currently 10, while all authorities are continuing urgent search and rescue operations for those still trapped inside the tunnel.
Officials initially believe the incident was caused by a methane gas explosion accumulated inside the ADIT-3 tunnel, located about 1.5 kilometers from the tunnel entrance. At the time, workers were ventilating methane gas from the tunnel before the blast caused a landslide that blocked the entrance, trapping many workers inside.
Information from the NHPC project general manager indicated that about 25 workers and project staff were inside the tunnel at the time of the incident. Authorities are reviewing employee lists and work attendance records to confirm the exact number of missing persons officially.
Search and rescue operations are proceeding urgently, involving multiple agencies including the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, Sikkim Disaster Management Authority, police, firefighters, medical teams from Rangpo public health center, local volunteers, as well as expert teams from Pakyong and Siliguri in West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke by phone with Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, to follow up on the situation, expressing concern for the victims and families of the deceased. He confirmed that the central government is ready to provide full support in personnel, resources, and relief to assist the rescue mission.
The Chief Minister of Sikkim thanked the Prime Minister for the support, noting that the encouragement from the central government boosts the confidence of the hard-working rescue teams, and affirmed that the state government will fully care for the families of the deceased and those affected.
This incident is another serious accident in India's large-scale construction projects, especially in the Himalayan region, where environmental experts warn that ongoing infrastructure development in fragile mountainous areas increases the risk of landslides and accidents.
Previously, in 2023, India experienced a road tunnel collapse in the state of Uttarakhand, trapping 41 workers underground for 17 days before they were safely rescued in one of the country's largest underground rescue operations.