Key facts
- At least 12 workers were killed in a tunnel collapse in Sikkim, India.
- The incident occurred at an under-construction tunnel for a hydropower project.
- Officials suspect a methane gas explosion caused the collapse.
- 13 other workers remain trapped inside the tunnel.
- Rescue operations are ongoing to locate the remaining trapped individuals.
At least 12 workers have died following a tunnel collapse in India's northeastern Sikkim state, officials reported. The incident occurred at an under-construction tunnel designed to carry water for a hydropower plant, a project developed by the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Officials stated that the collapse was preceded by a suspected explosion of methane gas trapped within the rocks. This gas combustion generated dense fumes and toxic gases, leading to the disaster. Methane, a naturally occurring gas, can explode if released into a confined space and ignited.
Initially, 25 people were working inside the tunnel when the incident happened. Two managed to escape, but 23 others were trapped. As of Wednesday morning, 12 bodies had been recovered, with rescue teams actively searching for the remaining 13 men. The search is concentrated on a specific 200-meter section of the tunnel.
Seven victims have been identified, including one from Sikkim and others from West Bengal, Uttarakhand, and Assam. Post-mortem examinations will determine the official cause of death. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has initiated a special investigation team to probe the exact cause of the incident and ensure accountability.