At least nine people have died and 15 others remain trapped after a tunnel collapse at an under-construction hydroelectric project in India's remote northeast. The incident occurred on Monday in the Himalayan state of Sikkim, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project on the Teesta river.
Incident Details
Rajiv Roka, director of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, stated that around 25-27 people were initially trapped. The collapse was likely triggered by a blast, the cause of which is yet to be ascertained. The region has experienced torrential monsoon rains in recent days, which may have contributed to the disaster.
Rescue Operations
Toxic methane gas leaking from underground rock formations is hampering rescue efforts, allowing only teams carrying oxygen equipment to enter. A specialized team trained in mining accidents has been flown in to aid the rescuers. Aggressive rescue operations are underway, but the presence of hazardous gas poses significant challenges.
Accidents on large infrastructure construction sites are common in India. Ecologists argue that excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas. In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days under a collapsed Himalayan road tunnel in northern Uttarakhand state.