Tunnel collapse at India hydropower project kills 10, leaves 17 missing
6 reported2 unconfirmed
At least 10 people have been killed and 17 others remain missing after a suspected gas explosion triggered a collapse inside an under-construction tunnel at a hydropower project in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim, near the Chinese border, officials said on Tuesday. The blast occurred on Monday at Samardung village, about 40 kilometers from the state capital Gangtok, where workers were building the 500-megawatt Teesta hydroelectric project, according to civil official Anupama Tamling. Survivors reported hearing a loud explosion before debris trapped dozens inside. Six officials from the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation entered the tunnel to assist in rescue efforts but became trapped themselves. Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force, have faced hazardous conditions due to toxic gases such as methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulphide inside the tunnel.
What’s reported
At least 10 people were killed and 17 remain missing after a suspected gas explosion caused a tunnel collapse at a hydropower project in Sikkim, India.
The incident occurred on Monday at Samardung village, about 40 kilometers from Gangtok, at the 500-megawatt Teesta hydroelectric project.
Survivors reported hearing a loud explosion before debris trapped dozens inside.
Six officials from the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation entered the tunnel to help with rescue efforts and became trapped themselves.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force found toxic gases including methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulphide inside the tunnel.
Construction accidents are not uncommon in India, and the Himalayan region’s fragile geology and seismic activity make tunnel projects risky.
Open questions
The exact cause of the explosion and collapse has not been confirmed.
The fate of the 17 missing individuals and the six trapped NHPC officials remains unknown.
Key figures
Anupama Tamling, civil official in the area
Sonam Dolma, local police chief
Nitin Kumar, NDRF official
Dr. Devesh Walia, geology professor at North-Eastern Hill University
Sources: abcnews.com
