Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: Death Toll Rises To 11, Several Still Trapped As Rescue Op Continues
Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: Death Toll Rises To 11, Several Still Trapped As Rescue Op Continues Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 17:48 IST 11
Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: Death Toll Rises To 11, Several Still Trapped As Rescue Op Continues Published By, Last Updated: July 21, 2026, 17:48 IST 11 bodies have been recovered so far, while efforts are underway to retrieve eight workers who are feared dead. Rapid Read Rescue operations underway after about 25 people were trapped inside an under-construction tunnel after a landslide blocked its entrance and triggered a suspected gas leak. (PTI) Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: The death toll in the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim’s Namchi district has risen to 11, with rescue teams continuing efforts to reach the remaining workers trapped inside. Providing the latest update from the rescue site, Abhijeet Kundu, Superintendent (Rescue), Eastern Coalfields, said that 11 bodies have been recovered so far, while efforts are underway to retrieve eight workers who are feared dead. “Ten bodies have been recovered till 9.30 am on Tuesday. Seven of the deceased have been identified, while three unidentified bodies were sent to the District Hospital Singtam and STNM Hospital," the Namchi police said in a statement. Of the seven identified deceased, four were from West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri, one each from Assam, Punjab and Uttarakhand’s Dehradun, and one was a resident of Namchi, it said. The incident took place on Monday after the tunnel of NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Jholungey caved in due to a landslide.
A total of 25 people, including project officials and workers, were trapped inside the ADIT-3 tunnel when it suddenly collapsed. Authorities said the collapse was followed by a suspected methane gas burst, which generated toxic fumes and made rescue operations extremely difficult. Methane Gas Hampers Rescue Efforts Rescue teams are facing hazardous conditions inside the tunnel due to continuous methane gas leakage, waterlogging, debris and low oxygen levels. Personnel can enter the tunnel only with specialised breathing equipment, slowing down the operation. The rescue operation is being carried out jointly by the Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, district administration, Fire and Emergency Services, specialised mining rescue teams and NHPC officials. Meanwhile, NHPC said emergency protocols were activated immediately after the incident and that its engineering teams are working round the clock with rescue agencies to stabilise the tunnel and assist in evacuation efforts. The company added that a detailed investigation will be conducted into the cause of the accident. PM Modi, Sikkim CM Announce E Gratia President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolences over the loss of lives, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to him to review the rescue operations and assured all possible assistance from the Centre.
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