In brief
At least twelve workers died when a methane‑filled section of a tunnel collapsed during construction in Sikkim’s Namchi district. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation attributes the tragedy to gas explosions. Rescue teams are combing a 200‑metre zone for the remaining 13 workers, while officials open investigations.
Tunnel Collapse in Sikkim Claims 12 Lives
A sudden burst of methane in the under‑construction Teesta Water Tunnel collapsed a tunnel section 1.5 km from the entrance, killing 12 workers and trapping 13 more in the shaft. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation said the explosion produced dense, toxic fumes that convinced emergency crews to shut the works. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been sweeping a 200‑metre zone where the remaining men are expected to be. Two workers escaped, while 25 were trapped and 12 bodies recovered so far.
Officials identify the victims: one native to Sikkim and the rest migrants from West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Assam. Post‑mortem examinations will determine precise causes of death. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has commissioned an expert investigation team to parcel out the incident’s triggers and future safety measures.
The tunnel is part of a larger hydropower project aimed at harnessing water from the Teesta River to feed turbine generators. The collapse has shunted the project into a pause while authorities review safety protocols around methane detection and blasting procedures. Rescue efforts continue into the night, and citizens are urged to stay away from the site until the operation is finished.
