Sikkim Tunnel Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 11 in Namchi, Inquiry Ordered

On July 20, a section of the under‑construction Head Race Tunnel (HRT) at Samardung, part of the NHPC Teesta Stage‑VI hydroelectric project, gave way, trapping a crew of workers inside. What began as a routine lunch‑break pause turned into a nightmare when a suspected burst of methane gas ignited, filling the tunnel with dense, toxic fumes.

Rescue teams swarmed the site within minutes. Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and specialists from the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) all converged, working side‑by‑side under a haze of smoke and fear. By the next morning, eleven bodies had been recovered, while the remaining workers were pulled out alive after a tense, hour‑long effort.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang arrived at the scene later that day, his expression a mixture of sorrow and resolve. Speaking to reporters, he confirmed that 27 workers were present when the blast struck; two managed to flee immediately, leaving 25 stranded. “We have rescued all those who were trapped,” he said, “but the loss of life is heartbreaking.”

Tamang announced that the state government would provide ₹4 lakh to the families of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 to those injured. He also ordered a full‑scale inquiry, promising strict action if any negligence on the part of the executing firm, NHPC, is uncovered.

NHPC’s own statement echoed the methane‑explosion theory, saying that gas accumulated within the surrounding rock strata and detonated suddenly. The company asserted that emergency protocols were activated instantly and that senior officials are monitoring rescue operations on the ground.

As of now, the death toll stands at eleven, and the community in Namchi is grappling with grief. Local NGOs have begun relief drives, while relatives of the victims gather at the site, hoping for answers and, eventually, closure.

The incident has sparked broader concerns about safety standards in large‑scale hydro projects across the Himalayas. Experts argue that rigorous geological surveys and continuous gas monitoring could prevent such catastrophes, but implementation often lags behind ambitious construction timelines.

Authorities have pledged to release the inquiry report within the next few weeks. In the meantime, the focus remains on supporting the bereaved families and ensuring that the remaining workers receive the medical care they need.