Gangtok, July 21: Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach workers trapped inside an under-construction tunnel at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydropower Project in Sikkim, where a methane gas explosion triggered a landslide, leaving at least seven people dead.
Authorities confirmed on Monday that seven bodies had been recovered from the accident site. The deceased were shifted to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok and Namchi District Hospital for further procedures.
The accident occurred around noon when methane gas that had accumulated inside a section of the tunnel reportedly ignited during an operation to release the trapped gas. The blast caused a landslide within the tunnel approximately 1.5 kilometres from the entrance, blocking the passage and trapping several workers inside.
While a number of workers managed to escape shortly after the explosion, officials believe that around 25 people may have been trapped. Authorities said the exact number is still being verified by matching attendance records and information provided by the construction company.
Namchi Deputy Commissioner Anupa Tamling said the estimated number of trapped workers had been revised after preliminary verification. She noted that the figure could change further as officials continue checking employee records and confirming the identities of workers present at the site when the incident occurred.
Rescue operations have faced significant challenges because of the dangerous conditions inside the tunnel. Personnel from the Rangpo Fire and Emergency Services initially attempted to enter the tunnel but were forced to suspend the operation after encountering low oxygen levels and high concentrations of methane gas. Some rescue personnel reportedly experienced health complications during the effort.
Subsequent attempts by teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also proved unsuccessful, as unstable debris and hazardous gas levels made it unsafe to proceed deeper into the tunnel.
The district administration said a coordinated rescue mission is being carried out by NHPC, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, the Health Department and other government agencies.
Senior officials from the district administration, disaster response agencies and NHPC remain at the project site to oversee rescue efforts. Teams are working to improve ventilation inside the tunnel while assessing the safest possible route to reach those who may still be trapped.
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said it is closely monitoring the operation and will provide further updates as rescue teams gather more information from the site.
