NEW DELHI: At least 12 workers have died after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed following a suspected methane gas explosion in India’s northeastern Sikkim state, officials said.
Rescue teams were still searching on Wednesday for 13 workers believed to be trapped inside the tunnel after Monday’s accident in Namchi district.
The National Disaster Response Force said the collapse occurred around 1.5 kilometres inside the tunnel, which is being built to carry water from the Teesta River to turbines at a hydropower plant.
The project is being developed by the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.
NHPC said the accident occurred after a sudden release of suspected methane gas trapped inside rocks, triggering an explosion that produced dense fumes and toxic gases.
The Sikkim government separately said the incident was caused by methane gas combustion.
Officials said 27 people were working in different sections of the tunnel at the time. Two managed to escape, while 25 were trapped.
“Of the 25 people who were trapped, we have recovered 12 bodies so far, and teams are working to locate the 13 other men,” Superintendent of Police Sonam D Bhutia told the media.
Police said seven victims had been identified so far, including one from Sikkim and others from West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Assam.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has formed a special investigation team and said action would follow after experts determine the cause of the disaster.
