Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: A methane gas explosion triggered a catastrophic landslide inside an under-construction tunnel at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI hydroelectric project on Monday, July 20. The blast occurred near Samardung in the Jholungey area of Sikkim’s Namchi district. It happened around midday when crews attempted to release gas that had built up 1.5 kilometres deep. The resulting collapse blocked the exit, trapping roughly 25 workers inside.
As of Tuesday, July 21, the death toll reached 10. Rescuers recovered the bodies and transported them to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok, and Namchi District Hospital. Officials confirmed that victims included four workers from Jalpaiguri in West Bengal and one each from Assam, Punjab, Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, and Namchi in Sikkim. Three bodies currently remain unidentified.
Namchi Deputy Commissioner Anupa Tamling stated the number of trapped personnel was revised after verifying attendance records. "The figure has been revised based on preliminary verification. The number may still change as authorities continue cross-checking details with company officials and verifying the attendance records of workers present at the site," Tamling said. Earlier reports varied, with some estimates suggesting between 25 and 38 people, including staff from NHPC and Patel Engineering, were inside for a routine inspection.
Rescue operations face extreme danger. Toxic fumes and dangerously low oxygen levels have forced back teams from the Rangpo Fire and Emergency Services and the National Disaster Response Force from Pakyong and Siliguri. Persistent rain has further destabilized the terrain. Several rescuers fell ill or lost consciousness while attempting to navigate the hazardous site.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang is monitoring the situation alongside the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Sikkim Police, and the State Disaster Response Force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Chief Minister to promise federal support. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased person, with Rs 50,000 for the injured.
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