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The death toll from the devastating accident inside an under-construction hydropower project tunnel in Namchi district of India’s Sikkim state has risen to 22.
As of Thursday (July 23), rescue teams had recovered the bodies of 22 workers from the debris. Search operations are continuing around the clock to locate those who remain missing.
The incident occurred shortly after noon on Monday when a sudden explosion took place inside the tunnel. Preliminary reports suggest that the blast may have been caused by the ignition of flammable gas trapped within the surrounding rock formations. The explosion triggered a tunnel collapse, filling the area with toxic smoke. At the time of the accident, 25 workers were inside the tunnel, all of whom became trapped deep underground.
A state government official said that specialized rescue teams, the local administration, and other relevant agencies are working together in a coordinated effort to carry out the rescue operation. However, the mission has become extremely hazardous due to the collapsed rock, toxic gases, and the challenging conditions inside the tunnel. Despite these risks, authorities are continuing every possible effort to locate the missing workers.
The Sikkim government said it is closely monitoring the situation and is committed to providing all necessary assistance for the rescue operation while supporting the families affected by the tragedy.
So far, the identities of eight of the recovered victims have been confirmed. Among them are four workers from Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal, along with one worker each from Punjab, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Sikkim. According to official sources, several workers from different districts of Jharkhand were also employed on the project.
Following the accident, the project authorities announced compensation for the victims’ families. The next of kin of each deceased worker will receive ₹500,000. In addition, the Chief Minister of Sikkim has announced ₹400,000 for the family of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for each injured worker. The Prime Minister of India has also announced financial assistance of ₹200,000 for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹50,000 for those who were injured.