What happened
At least 12 workers have been killed after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed in India's north-eastern Sikkim state, following a gas explosion. Rescue operations are ongoing to locate 13 others reported trapped since Monday's collapse, officials said.
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The incident occurred about 1.5 kilometers inside the tunnel, which is part of a larger hydropower project being developed by the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). The tunnel is designed to carry water from the Teesta River to a hydropower plant's turbines.
According to NHPC, the accident happened after a sudden burst of suspected methane gas trapped in the rocks led to an explosion, generating dense fumes and toxic gases. The Sikkim government also attributed the accident to methane gas combustion. Methane, a naturally occurring gas, can ignite or explode if released into a confined space and exposed to a spark.
Of the 27 workers inside the tunnel at the time, two escaped after the explosion, leaving 25 trapped. So far, 12 bodies have been recovered, and teams are working to locate the remaining 13 men, said Superintendent of Police Sonam D Bhutia. Seven victims have been identified, including one from Sikkim and others from West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Assam.
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The search-and-rescue operation is focused on a 200-meter zone where the remaining people are likely located, according to NDRF officer Mohsen Shahedi. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has set up a special investigation team to determine the cause of the incident and will take action based on findings.
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