12 Workers Killed, 13 Trapped After Toxic Gas Leak in Sikkim Hydropower Tunnel; Massive Rescue Operation Underway.
Gangtok:
A devastating industrial accident at the under-construction Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim’s Namchi district claimed the lives of 12 workers after a sudden release of suspected methane gas inside an underground tunnel. Rescue teams are continuing efforts to reach 13 workers who remain trapped.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:04 p.m. on July 20 inside the head race tunnel at Samardung, about 30 kilometres south of Gangtok. According to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), a sudden explosive release of suspected methane gas trapped within rock formations generated dense smoke and toxic gases, trapping a total of 25 workers inside the tunnel.
Rescue Operations Continue
NHPC confirmed that 12 workers have died, while rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing to locate and evacuate the remaining 13 workers.
Namchi District Magistrate Anupa Tamling said authorities are making every effort to rescue those still trapped. The operation involves multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administration, local police, and NHPC’s engineering teams.
Officials stated that a specialised rescue team from the Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has also reached the site to assist in stabilising the tunnel and ensuring safe rescue operations.
Rain Hampers Rescue Efforts
Namchi Superintendent of Police Sonam Dolma Bhutia said intermittent rainfall since Monday has slowed rescue efforts by making access to the tunnel more challenging.
Authorities have identified seven of the deceased workers so far. Among them are three workers from West Bengal, one each from Sikkim and Uttarakhand, while the remaining identified victims are from Assam. Efforts are underway to establish the identities of the remaining victims and inform their families.
NHPC Assures Full Support
In an official statement, NHPC said its engineering teams are working round the clock alongside emergency responders to stabilise the tunnel environment and facilitate rescue operations.
The corporation also announced that a detailed investigation would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the methane gas release and assess whether additional safety measures are required at the project site.
Prime Minister Reviews Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to review the rescue operations and express concern over the tragedy.
According to the Sikkim government, the Prime Minister conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims and assured the State government of all possible assistance from the Centre for rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.
High-Level Inquiry Ordered
Later in the day, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, accompanied by Governor Om Prakash Mathur, visited the accident site to assess the situation.
The Chief Minister announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident. He also assured that the State government would provide ex-gratia financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives.
Expressing grief over the incident, Tamang said the entire state stands with the bereaved families during this difficult time and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
One of the Deadliest Industrial Accidents in Recent Years
The Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project is one of NHPC’s major hydropower projects in Sikkim. The tragic accident has once again raised serious concerns over worker safety in underground infrastructure projects, particularly those involving tunnelling through geologically unstable terrain where hazardous gases may remain trapped within rock formations.
As rescue operations continue, authorities remain hopeful of reaching the trapped workers while simultaneously investigating the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Sikkim in recent years.
