NAMCHI, India—Seven workers were confirmed dead after an under-construction tunnel collapsed in India's northeastern state of Sikkim, while rescue teams continued searching for others believed to be trapped, authorities said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred on Monday at the Samardung tunnel in Namchi district, part of the NHPC's Teesta Stage VI hydroelectric project. Officials said a landslide blocked the tunnel entrance and a suspected gas leak inside the tunnel complicated rescue operations.
District authorities said seven bodies had been recovered and taken to nearby hospitals. Rescue efforts involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, health officials and other agencies remained underway.
Namchi District Collector Anupa Tamling said earlier that around 27 workers were feared trapped after the incident, although she cautioned that the exact number could not immediately be confirmed because emergency teams were still assessing conditions inside the tunnel. According to officials, some workers managed to escape before the entrance became blocked.
Rescuers faced hazardous conditions inside the tunnel because of the suspected gas leak, which officials said made access difficult and slowed recovery operations. Authorities have not yet confirmed the precise cause of the collapse, and investigations are expected once the site is secured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the loss of life and announced ex gratia assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the families of those killed will receive 200,000 rupees ($2,300) each, while injured workers will receive 50,000 rupees.
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority said it was closely monitoring the operation as heavy equipment and specialized rescue personnel worked to reach areas cut off by debris. Officials said weather conditions and unstable ground remained challenges for emergency crews.
The Teesta Stage VI project is one of several hydroelectric developments in the Himalayan state, where steep terrain, heavy seasonal rainfall and landslides have posed recurring risks to infrastructure projects.
As of Tuesday, authorities had not announced when rescue operations would conclude or confirmed how many workers remained unaccounted for. Officials said updates would be released as teams gained further access to the tunnel and verified conditions underground.
