Sikkim tunnel collapse: One more body found at Teesta VI project, toll 13
One more body has been recovered from the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project in Sikkim, taking the number of
One more body has been recovered from the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project in Sikkim, taking the number of bodies retrieved so far to 13, officials said on Wednesday. Twenty workers were killed after the tunnel collapsed following an explosion suspected to have been caused by methane gas. Search and rescue operations, which were briefly suspended because of the accumulation of mud and water inside the tunnel, resumed earlier in the day, officials said.
Read Full Story The Disaster Response Force and the Asansol rescue team restarted operations early on Wednesday, with efforts focused on pumping water out of the tunnel. Rescue teams continued intensive search and recovery work under extremely challenging conditions, with sustained efforts aimed at locating and retrieving the remaining trapped persons. According to an NHPC statement, a sudden burst of suspected methane gas trapped inside the rocks led to the explosion, generating dense fumes and toxic gases.
Medical teams and ambulances remained stationed at the site to provide emergency assistance to rescue personnel, officials said. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each worker who died in the tunnel collapse and Rs 50,000 for every injured person. The Prime Minister also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.
With one more body recovered on Wednesday, the toll of retrieved bodies has risen to 13 as rescue teams continue operations at the tunnel site. Ends
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