Seven killed in Sikkim tunnel landslide and gas leak

A landslide and suspected gas leak at an underconstruction hydroelectric tunnel in Sikkim have killed seven people and left an uncertain number of workers trapped, rescue officials said Tuesday. The disaster occurred Monday afternoon at the Samardung tunnel site in Jholungey, part of the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district.

The landslide blocked a section of the tunnel, trapping workers inside. The incident was followed by a suspected leak of methane gas, complicating rescue efforts. Authorities confirmed seven fatalities. The bodies have been taken to hospitals in Singtam, Gangtok, and Namchi.

Namchi District Collector Anupa Tamling stated that approximately 27 workers may be trapped, but the exact number remains unconfirmed as rescue teams have been unable to fully assess the interior. Workers who escaped reported hearing a loud, blast-like sound before fleeing.

Rescue operations involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, fire services, and other departments began soon after the incident. However, high levels of methane gas have created hazardous conditions, forcing early rescue attempts to turn back...