Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari assures Sikkim of support after tunnel collapse kills 10
Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said he had spoken to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang after the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage
Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said he had spoken to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang after the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district, in which at least 10 people have been killed, and assured him of all possible assistance from West Bengal. He said the West Bengal government was closely monitoring the situation as there was a strong possibility that some of the affected workers were from Jalpaiguri district. He also said minister Bishal Lama and the Darjeeling district magistrate were heading to the site to help with coordination as rescue operations continued. Read Full Story In a social media post, Adhikari said, "Deeply pained and concerned by the tragic tunnel collapse at the under-construction site of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung, Jholungey, in Namchi district of Sikkim." He added, "I have spoken with the Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang Ji over the telephone to take stock of the situation.
We are closely monitoring the developments, as there is a strong possibility that some of the affected workers belong to our Jalpaiguri district." Adhikari said, "To ensure immediate assistance and on-ground coordination, Hon'ble Minister Shri Bishal Lama and the District Magistrate of Darjeeling are personally rushing to the site of the incident. Furthermore, our Home Secretary is in constant touch with the Sikkim Administration and is continuously getting updated regarding the rescue operations." He also said, "I have assured the Hon'ble Sikkim Chief Minister of all possible cooperation and support from the Government of West Bengal during this difficult hour." He added, "My thoughts are with the families of the victims.
I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and the safe rescue of all those who are still trapped." Police said 10 people were killed after the tunnel under construction collapsed due to a landslide in Sikkim's Namchi district on Monday. A Namchi district official said the number of victims could rise as search and rescue operations were still underway. Tamang said the tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Jholungey caved in after a landslide. A total of 25 people, including project officials and workers, were trapped inside the ADIT-3 tunnel when it suddenly collapsed on Monday, he said. Officials said rescue work was being complicated by the presence of gas inside the tunnel, with several personnel feeling dizzy and losing consciousness while trying to reach the trapped workers.
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