NEW DELHI: The death toll from a gas explosion that caused a tunnel collapse at a hydroelectric project in India’s northeastern Sikkim state has risen to at least 20, officials said.
The accident occurred at a 500-megawatt under-construction project of the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.
Rajiv Roka, director of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, said 13 bodies had been recovered from the tunnel, while rescuers had seen seven to eight more bodies inside but had not yet been able to retrieve them.
“Looking at the condition, I don’t think there could be any survivors,” Roka said.
Rescue efforts have been slowed by waterlogging inside the collapsed tunnel and the leakage of methane gas from underground rock formations. Torrential monsoon rains in the region have further complicated recovery work.
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NHPC said the tunnel collapse was triggered by an explosive release of suspected methane gas trapped inside rocks, producing dense smoke and toxic gases.
The company said a detailed investigation would be conducted.
The disaster has renewed concern over the safety of major infrastructure projects in India’s Himalayan region, where unstable rock formations, seismic risks and rapid development have increased the danger of tunnel construction.
In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days when a Himalayan road tunnel collapsed in Uttarakhand.
