New Delhi: The death toll in the Teesta Stage-VI tunnel collapse has risen to at least 20, with 13 of the deceased identified so far, as rescue teams continue battling toxic gas to reach the remaining trapped workers, according to media quoting local authorities. A total of 27 workers were trapped inside the under-construction tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung-Jholungey when an explosion triggered a collapse on Monday afternoon.
The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC), in a statement, said a suspected methane gas pocket trapped in the rock strata ignited, releasing fumes and toxic gases, and the company activated emergency response protocols immediately.
At the time of the incident, two workers managed to exit the tunnel on their own. However, 25 personnel remained trapped inside the tunnel. The presence of methane inside the tunnel is hampering rescue operations, officials said.
Of the 13 identified dead, nine are from Jalpaiguri district and two from Alipurduar district (both in West Bengal), one from Punjab, and one from Sikkim. Among those still missing is Anish Mohan, 43, a geologist from Kerala.
As reported by RNA earlier, 43 workers were initially inside the tunnel when the landslide struck. Sixteen managed to escape before the entrance was completely blocked, while 27 remained trapped inside.
Official response
The Sikkim chief minister, Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, confirmed that of the 27 trapped workers, only two have come out so far. He announced that a special investigation team (SIT) will be set up to probe the cave-in the worst tunnel disaster in India since the November 2023 Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand, which had trapped 41 workers for 17 days. Tamang also announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker.
President Droupadi Murmu, in a message on X, said, “My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy rescue and safe evacuation of the other workers and quick recovery of the injured.”
The prime minister, Narendra Modi, announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for every injured person, and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families in a message on X.
He wrote: “Deeply pained and concerned by the tragic tunnel collapse at the under-construction site of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung-Jholungey, in Namchi district of Sikkim. I have spoken personally with Sikkim chief minister … to take stock of the situation. We are closely monitoring the developments, as there is a strong possibility that some of the affected workers belong to Jalpaiguri district …”
The West Bengal chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari, in a post on X, wrote, “Our home secretary is in constant touch with the Sikkim administration and is continuously getting updated regarding the rescue operations. I have assured the Sikkim chief minister of all possible cooperation and support from the govt of Bengal during this difficult hour. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and the safe rescue of all those who are still trapped.”
The Jalpaiguri superintendent of police, Sujata Kumari Veenapani, said arrangements are being made for victims’ families to travel to the accident site. The Jalpaiguri additional district magistrate and deputy superintendent of police (traffic) have reached the site, accompanied by an assistant superintendent of police from Kalimpong.