Seven workers have been killed and at least 18 remain trapped following a methane gas explosion and subsequent landslide inside an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim. The explosion blocked the tunnel entrance and severed the primary escape route at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project site in Namchi district. A total of 25 personnel, including National Hydroelectric Power Corporation staff, were inside when the incident occurred, with local administration confirming seven fatalities as emergency teams fight to reach those still stranded.
The rescue team is now involved in a huge effort for the second day running in extremely dangerous conditions within the tunnel. The efforts of rescuing the trapped individuals have been hindered by high amounts of methane gas, low oxygen, and poor visibility. Officials indicated that the methane gas had likely accumulated naturally from underground rock strata roughly 1.5 kilometres inside the tunnel. An initial attempt to vent the trapped gas is believed to have ignited the explosion, triggering a landslide that sealed off a critical section. Although some people could escape soon after, many more were found stuck further inside.
The disaster was known to the local district authorities around 3:40 pm on Monday, and this brought forth the deployment of agencies such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, and Fire & Emergency Services. The initial relief attempt by the local fire services was forced to stop as the workers suffered from breathing problems due to high levels of gases and no oxygen, while others became sick.
In order to deal with the situation, a special team with equipment to protect themselves from gases was mobilised from West Bengal, along with some additional staff of NDRF, who had been sent from Pakyong and Siliguri. This exercise was conducted through the night with the coordination of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, along with the Namchi District Administration.
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