27 Workers Trapped in Sikkim Tunnel After Suspected Gas Leak

A suspected gas leak in a tunnel in Samardong, South Sikkim, has left 27 workers feared trapped. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, and relief and rescue operations are currently underway.

The District Collector of Namchi district, Anupa Tamling, stated that a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has entered the tunnel and begun rescue operations. However, the actual number of workers trapped inside the tunnel has not been confirmed due to lack of complete information.

According to company representatives, the workers who were working inside the tunnel heard a sound like an explosion, after which some workers managed to run out of the tunnel, while others remain trapped inside. The administration, police, and emergency services are present at the tunnel site, and continuous efforts are being made to bring all the workers out safely.

The NDRF team is working to evacuate the trapped workers, but so far, no one has been evacuated from the tunnel. The incident is believed to have been triggered by a landslide inside the under-construction Samardung tunnel, which reportedly caused a methane gas leak.

Seven deaths have been confirmed in the tunnel incident, and the bodies have been sent to nearby hospitals. The rescue teams are continuing their efforts to evacuate the workers trapped inside the tunnel.

The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project, where the incident occurred, is an under-construction project in Namchi district. The project is being built to generate hydroelectric power, and the tunnel is a crucial part of the project.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of workers in the construction industry, particularly in remote and hazardous areas like tunnels. The authorities are investigating the cause of the incident and are working to prevent such incidents in the future.

The rescue operations are ongoing, and the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities. The families of the trapped workers are waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones, and the authorities are working to provide them with updates and support.

In conclusion, the incident in the Samardong tunnel is a serious one, and the authorities are working tirelessly to rescue the trapped workers. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring the safety of workers in the construction industry and the need for prompt and effective rescue operations in emergency situations.