India

12 dead, 13 still trapped after suspected methane explosion in Sikkim tunnel; toll may rise

Elizabeth Taylor - bharatmorningnews.com जुलाई 22, 2026

Foto : Elizabeth Taylor - bharatmorningnews.com

Trapped After Sikkim Tunnel Methane Explosion Bharatmorningnews.com – 12 dead 13 still trapped after a devastating suspected methane gas explosion

12 Dead 13 Still Trapped After Sikkim Tunnel Methane Explosion

Bharatmorningnews.com – 12 dead 13 still trapped after a devastating suspected methane gas explosion caused a major tunnel collapse in South Sikkim. The tragic incident has left at least twelve construction workers dead while thirteen others remain trapped deep underground, with rescue teams working tirelessly to save them. The disaster unfolded at Adit 3 of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project, situated near Samardung in the Namchi district of Sikkim. Local authorities have expressed concern that the death toll could rise significantly as rescue operations continue.

The catastrophic event occurred shortly after 1 pm on Monday when twenty-five workers were inside the tunnel conducting routine drilling operations. Emergency responders immediately launched a massive rescue mission, but challenging conditions including toxic gas accumulation and mud-filled passages have slowed progress. By Tuesday evening, rescue teams had successfully pulled twelve bodies from the debris, while thirteen workers remained unaccounted for in the collapsed section.

“In all 12 bodies have been recovered till 7pm on Tuesday and 13 are still missing,” Namchi district collector Anupa Tamling said during a press briefing. “We will carry out the rescue operation until late night and will resume it early Wednesday morning. Seven of the bodies recovered have been identified so far.”

Rescue Teams Deploy Advanced Equipment

A specialized mining safety team from Eastern Coalfields Limited in West Bengal arrived on Tuesday with protective gear and sophisticated machinery to assist in the challenging rescue mission. Team members who ventured into the tunnel reported spotting at least eight additional bodies hidden within the debris, suggesting the final death count might reach twenty or more. The presence of carbon monoxide inside the tunnel has been confirmed as strong evidence that a methane explosion triggered the collapse.

“Some of the rescuers who went inside the tunnel on Monday fell ill. Later the presence of carbon monoxide was detected inside the tunnel. This hampered the rescue operations to some extent,” said the NHPC official overseeing the rescue efforts.

The tunnel section where workers are trapped lies approximately 1.5 kilometers from its entrance, making access difficult. Mud has filled much of the passage, complicating recovery efforts and requiring specialized equipment. Officials noted that burn injuries found on several victims further confirm that a methane explosion occurred, releasing intense heat and toxic fumes.

“The presence of carbon monoxide is almost conclusive evidence that there was methane explosion in the tunnel. The burn injuries on the victims and the presence of carbon monoxide point to the fact that there was methane which triggered the explosion.”

Government Announces Compensation Package

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, accompanied by Governor Om Prakash Mathur, visited the disaster site on Tuesday to assess the situation firsthand. The Chief Minister announced a comprehensive financial assistance package, offering ₹4 lakh for each family of the deceased workers and ₹50,000 for injured laborers. He also promised the immediate formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the causes of the tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah held urgent discussions with the Chief Minister to coordinate the national response. The Prime Minister declared additional ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh per deceased worker and ₹50,000 for each injured person, bringing total compensation to ₹6 lakh for families of those who lost their lives.

The Sikkim legislative assembly observed a two-minute period of silence to honor the fallen laborers. The victims hailed from various states across India, including West Bengal, Punjab, Assam, and Uttarakhand, highlighting the diverse workforce employed at the hydropower project.

Methane Gas Pocket Caused the Blast

NHPC officials stated that methane gas trapped within rock formations likely caused the devastating blast, releasing dense toxic fumes that trapped workers inside. An anonymous company official explained the technical mechanism behind the accident in detail.

“The explosion was triggered by a possible methane gas leak. The methane gas was probably trapped in a pocket in the rock which was being drilled by the tunnel boring machine. When the machine hit that pocket the gas leaked and triggered the explosion,” said an NHPC official, requesting anonymity.

Despite claims from the rescue team about additional bodies found inside, Sikkim Inspector General of Police Tashi Wangyal confirmed that twelve deaths have been officially verified as of Tuesday. Rescue operations remain ongoing, with teams working around the clock to locate and extract the thirteen trapped workers. The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols at deep tunnel construction sites across the country.

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