Deadly Tunnel Collapse at Sikkim Hydropower Project Leaves 10 Dead, 17 Still Trapped

A tragic accident at an under-construction hydropower tunnel in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim has claimed the lives of at least 10 people, while 17 others remain missing after a suspected gas explosion caused part of the tunnel to collapse.

The incident happened on Monday at the 500-megawatt Teesta hydroelectric project in Samardung village, located around 25 miles from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. Construction workers were inside the tunnel when a powerful explosion was reportedly heard, followed by a major collapse that trapped dozens of people beneath heavy debris.

According to local officials, workers who managed to escape safely told authorities they first heard a loud blast before sections of the tunnel gave way. The sudden collapse left many workers with little or no time to escape, creating a difficult and dangerous rescue operation.

Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the construction site and began searching through the collapsed tunnel in an effort to locate survivors. Rescue efforts have been challenging due to the unstable conditions inside the tunnel and the large amount of debris blocking access to those believed to be trapped.

Officials confirmed that six employees from the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), the company responsible for building the hydropower project, entered the tunnel to help with the rescue operation after the collapse. However, they also became trapped inside while attempting to assist others.

Authorities have so far recovered 10 bodies from the disaster site. Local police said that 17 people are still believed to be trapped inside the collapsed tunnel, and rescue teams continue working to reach them as quickly and safely as possible.

The Teesta hydroelectric project is one of the major infrastructure developments in the Himalayan region, where challenging terrain often makes construction work more complex. The exact cause of the suspected gas explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, and authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident once rescue operations allow.

For now, the main priority remains locating the missing workers and supporting the ongoing emergency response. Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue teams search for anyone who may still be alive beneath the collapsed structure.

Sources

• Associated Press (AP)
• National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)
• Government of Sikkim