Namchi (Sikkim): At least seven workers were killed and 25 others remain trapped after a massive landslide triggered the collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim's Namchi district on Tuesday. Rescue operations are underway as teams race against time to evacuate those trapped inside.
The incident occurred at an under-construction tunnel of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited's Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Namchi district.
According to officials, the tunnel collapsed after a landslide struck the construction site, trapping several workers inside.
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A joint rescue operation has been launched by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Namchi District Disaster Management Authority. Emergency teams are working continuously to clear debris and reach the trapped workers.
Officials confirmed that seven workers lost their lives in the collapse, while more than 25 workers are believed to be trapped inside the tunnel. Rescue personnel are using specialized equipment to remove rubble and search for survivors.
Authorities said the operation remains challenging due to the unstable terrain and debris left behind by the landslide. Additional rescue resources have been deployed to the site to accelerate evacuation efforts.
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The exact cause of the landslide is yet to be determined, and an investigation into the incident is expected once rescue operations are completed.
The tunnel collapse has once again raised concerns over worker safety at infrastructure projects in landslide-prone Himalayan regions, particularly during periods of adverse weather and unstable geological conditions.
Rescue efforts are continuing, with officials hoping to locate and safely evacuate the workers still trapped inside the collapsed tunnel. Further details are awaited as the operation progresses.
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