A suspected gas explosion at a hydropower project in Sikkim has left at least 12 people dead and 13 others trapped.
A suspected gas explosion triggered a collapse inside an under-construction tunnel at the Teesta hydroelectric project in Sikkim, India. The blast occurred on Monday at Samardung village, approximately 30 kilometers from the state capital, Gangtok. Officials reported that the explosion was likely caused by a sudden release of methane gas trapped within the rock formations. The disaster affected 25 personnel in total. While 12 workers have been confirmed dead, 13 remain missing as rescue teams work to evacuate them. Rescue operations are currently hampered by hazardous conditions, including toxic levels of methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Due to the dangerous air quality, personnel from the National Disaster Response Force can only enter the site for 15-minute shifts using specialized oxygen gear. State Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visited the site to review the progress and announced that the government will form a high-level inquiry committee to determine the exact cause of the incident.