The Sikkim tunnel collapse at the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project has claimed at least 11 lives, with rescue operations continuing round the clock to reach those still trapped. Authorities suspect landslides triggered the collapse at Samardung in South Sikkim’s Namchi district, setting off a massive multi-agency response.
Death Toll Rises as Search Operations Continue
The Senior Superintendent of Police for Namchi district confirmed that 11 bodies have been recovered so far from the collapsed tunnel. Of these, seven have already been identified by the district administration, officials said, while efforts to identify the remaining victims are ongoing.
Authorities suspect that around 25 people remain trapped inside the tunnel, which stretches nearly seven kilometres in length. Those feared trapped include labourers, NHPC officials and staff from a private engineering firm that was engaged in construction work at the site.
The scale of the tunnel adds to the complexity of the search effort, as rescue personnel must navigate long underground stretches while assessing the stability of the structure at every stage before moving forward.
How the Sikkim Tunnel Collapse Unfolded
The incident took place a day earlier at the under-construction tunnel site in Samardung. Officials believe landslides, likely worsened by continuous rainfall in the region, caused the structure to give way without warning.
Hilly terrain across Sikkim is known to be vulnerable to landslides during periods of heavy rain, and infrastructure projects in such zones often face added risk during construction. The Teesta Stage VI project, being built through such terrain, was among the sites affected by the recent spell of unstable weather.
Rescue agencies including the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force were mobilised for the operation soon after the collapse was reported. However, teams initially struggled to access parts of the site because of a suspected methane gas leak inside the tunnel, delaying the early stages of the rescue effort and forcing personnel to proceed with extreme caution.
Multi-Agency Rescue Operation Underway
The Namchi district administration is coordinating closely with NHPC, along with the SDRF, NDRF, Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Health Department, to carry out the rescue mission. Senior officials have reached the site to personally oversee the operation and ensure resources are deployed effectively.
Rescue teams are contending with persistent rain and difficult terrain as they work to reach the trapped workers. Despite these obstacles, personnel have continued efforts through the day and night to locate survivors and recover victims from the debris, using heavy machinery alongside manual search methods where the tunnel’s condition permits.
Line departments have also been placed on standby to assist with medical care, logistics and communication with the families of those affected, as the operation continues to evolve based on ground conditions.
Prime Minister, Home Minister Assure Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay following the tragedy and assured the state of all possible central assistance. The Chief Minister briefed the Prime Minister on the steps being taken to manage the crisis, and both leaders expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke separately with the Chief Minister, reiterating the Centre’s support for the ongoing rescue and relief work. State officials said coordination between central and state agencies has been strengthened to speed up the operation and ensure additional resources reach the site without delay.
Conclusion
As the search for survivors continues, the focus remains on safely evacuating those still trapped inside the tunnel while battling adverse weather and hazardous underground conditions. Authorities have indicated that rescue efforts will continue without pause until all workers are accounted for, even as the death toll from the Sikkim tunnel collapse is feared to rise further.
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