JALPAIGURI/SILIGURI: At least 20 of the 27 people trapped in a collapsed tunnel of an under-construction hydro-electric project in Sikkim’s Namchi district have died. Two workers have exited the tunnel and search is on for the rest.Of the 20 bodies recovered, 13 have been identified, sources said. Nine of the deceased are from Jalpaiguri district and two from Alipurduar district. One of the dead was from Punjab and another from Sikkim.One of the missing men — Anish Mohan, 43 — is a geologist from Kerala.
Sikkim tunnel collapse kills 20
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang-Golay said of the 27 people who were inside the under-construction tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung-Jholungey in Namchi when an explosion triggered a collapse on Monday afternoon, two managed to come out of the tunnel.NHPC said a suspected burst of methane trapped inside the rock strata triggered an explosion that generated fumes and toxic gases. The PSU said it immediately activated emergency response protocols. The presence of methane is hindering search, officials said.Jalpaiguri SP Sujata Kumari Veenapani said police were making arrangements for victims’ kin to travel to the accident spot. The Jalpaiguri ADM and DSP (traffic) have reached the accident site. An ASP from Kalimpong is accompanying the team.Sikkim CM Tamang said an SIT will be set up to probe the cave-in, the worst since the Nov 2023 collapse of a Himalayan road tunnel in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara left 41 workers trapped for 17 days. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person.PM Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each dead worker and Rs 50,000 for every injured person. In a message on X, he condoled with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.“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. I have spoken personally with Sikkim chief minister… 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 Jalpaiguri district...” Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari posted on X.“Our home secretary is in constant touch with the Sikkim administration and is continuously getting updated regarding the rescue operations. I have assured the Sikkim chief minister of all possible cooperation and support from the govt of Bengal during this difficult hour. 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,” he added.In a message on X, President Droupadi Murmu said, “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy rescue and safe evacuation of the other workers and quick recovery of the injured.”(With inputs from Kottayam)
