Death toll in Sikkim tunnel collapse rises to 20 as search for trapped workers continues

The death toll from the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim's Namchi district has risen to at least 20, with rescue teams continuing efforts to locate the remaining workers trapped inside. Of the 27 people caught in the cave-in triggered by an explosion on Monday afternoon, two managed to escape the tunnel, while search operations remain underway for the others.

Authorities said 20 bodies have been recovered so far, with 13 victims identified. Among those identified are nine people from Jalpaiguri district and two from Alipurduar district. One of the deceased was from Punjab and another from Sikkim. One of the missing workers, Anish Mohan, 43, is a geologist from Kerala.

More from India

Methane suspected to have triggered explosion

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay said 27 people were inside the under-construction tunnel at Samardung-Jholungey in Namchi when the explosion led to the collapse. He confirmed that two workers escaped from the tunnel.

NHPC said a suspected burst of methane trapped within the rock strata caused the explosion, producing fumes and toxic gases. The public sector undertaking said emergency response protocols were activated immediately after the incident. Officials added that the presence of methane continues to hamper search and rescue operations.

Officials coordinate support for victims' families

Jalpaiguri Superintendent of Police Sujata Kumari Veenapani said arrangements were being made to help the families of the victims travel to the accident site. The Jalpaiguri Additional District Magistrate and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) have already reached the site.

An Additional Superintendent of Police from Kalimpong is accompanying the team.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Chief Minister Tamang said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) would be constituted to investigate the tunnel collapse, describing it as the worst such incident since the November 2023 collapse of the Himalayan road tunnel in Uttarakhand's Silkyara, where 41 workers remained trapped for 17 days.

He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker.

Leaders express condolences

In a message on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also posted on X, saying: “Deeply pained and concerned by the tragic tunnel collapse at the under-construction site of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung-Jholungey, in Namchi district of Sikkim. I have spoken personally with Sikkim chief minister... to take stock of the situation. We are closely monitoring the developments, as there is a strong possibility that some of the affected workers belong to Jalpaiguri district."

President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences in a message on X, saying, “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy rescue and safe evacuation of the other workers and quick recovery of the injured.”