20 dead after blast at under-construction tunnel in Sikkim
Emergency teams rescued 16 people so far, police said. Governor, CM visit site
A blast that officials suspect was caused by a methane gas leak inside an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district on Monday has led to the death of at least 20 people and left five others trapped.
The incident occurred inside a seven-km under-construction tunnel of the Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project near Samardung. Those at the site at the time of the incident included high-level personnel from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and project developer Patel Engineering, who were on a routine inspection.
“Out of those 25 trapped inside the tunnel, 20 are confirmed dead,” Namchi Superintendent of Police (SP) Sonam D Bhutia said. The SP added that bodies of 12 have been recovered during the rescue and search operations being carried out by multiple agencies.
The ongoing rescue operation involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Fire and Emergency Services, and other agencies.
The NHPC said in a statement that the incident was caused by the “sudden explosion of trapped/embedded suspected methane gas within the rocks, resulting in dense smoke and toxic gases”. The statement said that immediately after the incident, “the project team activated its emergency response protocols”, and that they were working in close coordination with the district administration, the NDRF, the SDRF, local authorities and other emergency agencies.
“In addition, a special rescue team from DG Mines-Safety has also reached the site for rescue operations. Our site engineering teams are working round-the-clock alongside the authorities to assist in stabilising the tunnel environment and ensuring rescue,” the statement read.
The tunnel, which is part of the hydroelectric project, was being constructed to transport high-pressure water from the reservoir directly to the powerhouse, which has the turbines and generators.
Police sources said that during the ongoing excavation work for the tunnel, workers are likely to have inadvertently hit pockets of trapped methane gas within the rock layers. The escaping gas would then build up rapidly inside the enclosed tunnel and ignite, causing an explosion. This then likely led to a cave-in, the sources said.
Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visited the site to review rescue operations.
Tamang announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia for the family members of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for injured persons.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident… My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the workers who have lost their lives. In this hour of grief, the thoughts and prayers of the entire state are with the bereaved families, and we stand firmly by them during this difficult time,” the Chief Minister said.
In a social media post, Tamang also said he was closely monitoring the rescue operations and that he directed all concerned authorities to extend every possible assistance, expedite the rescue efforts, and ensure that the highest standards of safety are strictly followed throughout the operation.
He said he briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the situation. “His (PM Modi’s) words of concern and compassion for the affected workers and their families, along with his assurance of every possible assistance from the Government of India, have provided immense strength and reassurance to the people of Sikkim during this difficult hour,” the Chief Minister said, adding that Shah also assured assistance from the Centre.
The PM also announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also expressed concern over the incident. “I have spoken personally with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang ji over the telephone 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 our Jalpaiguri district,” he said in a social media post.
He said West Bengal minister Bishal Lama and the District Magistrate of Darjeeling “are personally rushing to the site of the incident” for on-ground coordination.
“Furthermore, 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 government of West Bengal during this difficult hour,” Adhikari said. —With PTI input
A blast that officials suspect was caused by a methane gas leak inside an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district on Monday has led to the death of at least 20 people and left five others trapped.
The incident occurred inside a seven-km under-construction tunnel of the Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project near Samardung. Those at the site at the time of the incident included high-level personnel from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and project developer Patel Engineering, who were on a routine inspection.
“Out of those 25 trapped inside the tunnel, 20 are confirmed dead,” Namchi Superintendent of Police (SP) Sonam D Bhutia said. The SP added that bodies of 12 have been recovered during the rescue and search operations being carried out by multiple agencies.
The ongoing rescue operation involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Fire and Emergency Services, and other agencies.
The NHPC said in a statement that the incident was caused by the “sudden explosion of trapped/embedded suspected methane gas within the rocks, resulting in dense smoke and toxic gases”. The statement said that immediately after the incident, “the project team activated its emergency response protocols”, and that they were working in close coordination with the district administration, the NDRF, the SDRF, local authorities and other emergency agencies.
“In addition, a special rescue team from DG Mines-Safety has also reached the site for rescue operations. Our site engineering teams are working round-the-clock alongside the authorities to assist in stabilising the tunnel environment and ensuring rescue,” the statement read.
The tunnel, which is part of the hydroelectric project, was being constructed to transport high-pressure water from the reservoir directly to the powerhouse, which has the turbines and generators.
Police sources said that during the ongoing excavation work for the tunnel, workers are likely to have inadvertently hit pockets of trapped methane gas within the rock layers. The escaping gas would then build up rapidly inside the enclosed tunnel and ignite, causing an explosion. This then likely led to a cave-in, the sources said.
Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visited the site to review rescue operations.
Tamang announced Rs 4 lakh ex gratia for the family members of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for injured persons.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident… My heartfelt condolences go to the families of the workers who have lost their lives. In this hour of grief, the thoughts and prayers of the entire state are with the bereaved families, and we stand firmly by them during this difficult time,” the Chief Minister said.
In a social media post, Tamang also said he was closely monitoring the rescue operations and that he directed all concerned authorities to extend every possible assistance, expedite the rescue efforts, and ensure that the highest standards of safety are strictly followed throughout the operation.
He said he briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the situation. “His (PM Modi’s) words of concern and compassion for the affected workers and their families, along with his assurance of every possible assistance from the Government of India, have provided immense strength and reassurance to the people of Sikkim during this difficult hour,” the Chief Minister said, adding that Shah also assured assistance from the Centre.
The PM also announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to the injured.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari also expressed concern over the incident. “I have spoken personally with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim Shri Prem Singh Tamang ji over the telephone 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 our Jalpaiguri district,” he said in a social media post.
He said West Bengal minister Bishal Lama and the District Magistrate of Darjeeling “are personally rushing to the site of the incident” for on-ground coordination.
“Furthermore, 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 government of West Bengal during this difficult hour,” Adhikari said. —With PTI input
