On Monday, an under-construction tunnel at NHPC’s Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project collapsed in Sikkim’s Namchi district after a landslide blocked its entrance and reportedly triggered a gas leak. According to the latest updates, at least 10 people have lost their lives in the tragic incident.
10 Killed In Tunnel Collapse In Namchi, Sikkim
According to India Today, at least 10 workers were killed after a methane gas explosion triggered a landslide inside an under-construction tunnel at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim’s Namchi district. The landslide blocked the tunnel’s entrance, trapping 25 workers inside.
The district administration has confirmed the deaths of 10 workers, while rescue teams are racing against time to evacuate the remaining 15. Rescue operations entered their second day on Tuesday, with personnel facing several challenges, including methane gas, low oxygen levels, poor visibility, and the tunnel’s narrow passage, making access to those trapped extremely difficult.
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PM Announces Ex-Gratia
Officials said methane gas, believed to have naturally accumulated from underground rock formations, had built up to a depth of about 1.5 kilometres inside the tunnel. During an attempt to vent the gas, a blast is believed to have occurred, triggering a landslide that blocked part of the tunnel.
While some workers managed to escape immediately after the incident, several others remained trapped inside. The district administration was alerted at around 3:40 pm on Monday, following which teams from the NDRF, SDRF, district police, and Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the site to begin rescue operations.
Anguished by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Namchi, Sikkim. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 21, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to receive an update on the situation following the tunnel collapse in Namchi. He expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and announced ex gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
President Droupadi Murmu also took to X and expressed grief, “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of precious lives in an incident of tunnel collapse in Sikkim. 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.”
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We hope the rescue teams are able to safely reach those still trapped and bring them to safety at the earliest.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@Kayberen__
FAQs
What caused the tunnel collapse in Sikkim's Namchi district?
According to officials, a methane gas explosion triggered a landslide that blocked the entrance of an under-construction tunnel at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project.
Where did the Sikkim tunnel collapse occur?
The incident took place inside an under-construction tunnel at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district, Sikkim.
What challenges are rescue teams facing?
Rescue personnel are dealing with methane gas, low oxygen levels, poor visibility, and the tunnel's narrow passage, making the operation extremely challenging.