Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Gangtok: A methane gas explosion triggered a catastrophic tunnel collapse at the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project in Samardung, Namchi district, leaving 20 people dead. The disaster began around 1 p.m. on Monday, July 20. A surge of trapped gas inside rock formations ignited during excavation work, causing a landslide that blocked the tunnel. Twenty-five workers and officials were caught inside. Search teams have recovered 20 bodies as of July 21. Five workers remain trapped more than 24 hours later.
Rescue operations face extreme danger. Toxic fumes and dangerously low oxygen levels have hampered progress. Initial attempts by Rangpo Fire and Emergency Services stalled after rescuers fell ill. National Disaster Response Force teams from Pakyong and Siliguri, alongside a specialised mining unit from West Bengal, have since joined the mission. Chief Secretary Ravindra Telang ordered agencies to manage oxygen supplies carefully to sustain the search.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visited the site alongside Governor Om Prakash Mathur. Tamang announced a Special Investigation Team to probe the explosion and safety lapses at the site managed by NHPC and Patel Engineering. The state government promised 4 lakh rupees to families of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Chief Minister to coordinate support. He sanctioned 2 lakh rupees from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for next of kin and 50,000 rupees for the wounded.
The Chief Minister stated he was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy. He extended condolences to families of victims from West Bengal, Assam, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. Namchi Superintendent of Police Sonam D. Bhutia confirmed that authorities are now working to identify the recovered remains at Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital, and Namchi District Hospital. The Sikkim Legislative Assembly observed a two-minute silence to honor the dead.
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