At least eight people have died and several workers are still feared trapped after a landslide blocked an under-construction tunnel at the Samardung site in Sikkim’s Namchi district, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident took place at the Samardung tunnel, where a massive landslide blocked the entrance on Monday afternoon, cutting off workers inside.
Rescue efforts have been further complicated by a methane gas leak triggered by the landslide, making it difficult for emergency teams to access the tunnel safely.
The District Administration has confirmed seven fatalities, with the bodies being taken to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok, and Namchi District Hospital.
The Namchi District Administration, in coordination with various agencies, is continuing rescue and relief efforts, while the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) is closely monitoring the situation.
Gangtok, Sikkim: NDRF teams are carrying out a rescue operation after a landslide inside the under-construction Samardung tunnel at Mamring in South Sikkim reportedly triggered a methane gas leak, leaving an estimated 27 people feared trapped pic.twitter.com/QUHFaab9jy
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Gas Leak Slows Rescue
Rescue efforts are continuing, but operations have been hampered by the presence of methane gas inside the tunnel. According to officials, several rescue personnel experienced dizziness and even lost consciousness while attempting to reach the trapped workers.
Rescue operations are continuing to evacuate those trapped, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, NHPC officials and other departments involved in the operation.
The gas is believed to be naturally emanating from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide, officials said.
District Collector Anupa Tamling said the exact number of workers trapped in the Samardung tunnel was still being verified and could be more or less than the current estimate. “The rescue operation is becoming increasingly difficult due to methane gas exposure, the narrow tunnel and poor visibility,” she said.
Tamling said the priority at the moment is to rescue the trapped workers, following which a detailed investigation into the incident will be conducted.
Ambulances have been kept on standby, while rescuers equipped with gas masks and other protective gear are continuing efforts to reach the trapped workers, officials said.
The tunnel was being constructed by Patel Engineering as part of NHPC’s ADIT for the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Power Project.
(With inputs from agencies)
