Sikkim tunnel collapse: 7 of 10 deceased identified as search continues for 25 workers

Patel Engineering Ltd (PEL), which is executing the civil construction works for the tunnel that collapsed in Sikkim, on Tuesday (July 21) said its project team is working in close coordination with the disaster response forces and local authorities to rescue trapped persons.

Ten people were killed after an under-construction tunnel collapsed due to a landslide in Sikkim's Namchi district on Monday (July 20). A total of 25 people, including project officials and workers, were trapped inside the ADIT-3 tunnel of NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Jholungey.

Patel Engineering, in a statement, expressed deep concern over the incident and said "our project team is working in close coordination with the district administration, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local authorities and other emergency agencies to support the ongoing rescue operations". In addition, a special rescue team from DG Mines-Safety has also reached the site for rescue operations.

The company said that all necessary resources, equipment, and assistance were being provided to support rescue efforts, and its site engineering team was working round-the-clock with authorities to stabilise the tunnel and help rescue crews reach the affected location.

"In this hour of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and we stand by them firmly during this difficult time," the company added.

All efforts being made to evacuate trapped persons: NHPC

State-owned NHPC on Tuesday said all possible efforts are being made to evacuate persons trapped at the Teesta hydro project site.

"An unfortunate incident occurred at 1.04 pm on July 20, 2026, inside the under-construction Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project, Samardung, South Sikkim, after a sudden burst of suspected methane gas trapped/embedded inside the rocks which led to explosion generating dense fumes and toxic gases," the statement said.

Also Read: 10 dead in Sikkim tunnel collapse, 27 trapped as rescue underway

NHPC said that immediately after the incident, the project team had activated emergency response protocols.

"Our site engineering teams are working round-the-clock alongside the authorities to assist in stabilizing the tunnel environment and ensuring rescue. NHPC’s top management has reached the site and is closely coordinating with the rescue teams and local authorities," it stated.

NHPC also informed that detailed investigation will be undertaken to ascertain the cause of the incident.

PM Modi announces compensation

PM Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

"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," Modi said in a post on X.

Sikkim CM Tamang expresses condolences

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said in a statement “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.”

Tamang said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with him and enquired about the rescue operations.

He said, "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."

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The chief minister said Shah spoke with him to review the situation and the ongoing rescue efforts.

"I briefed him on the ongoing rescue operations and the efforts being undertaken by the state government in coordination with the NDRF and other dedicated agencies," he said.

Shah expressed deep concern over the incident and assured every possible assistance from the Centre, Tamang said. He also thanked the Union home minister for his continued support and concern for the people of Sikkim during the difficult time.

10 bodies recovered

"Ten bodies have been recovered till 9.30 am on Tuesday. Seven of the deceased have been identified, while three unidentified bodies were sent to the District Hospital Singtam and STNM Hospital," the Namchi police said in a statement.

Of the seven identified deceased, four were from West Bengal's Jalpaiguri, one each from Assam, Punjab and Uttarakhand's Dehradun, and one was a resident of Namchi, it said.

The chief minister said he was closely monitoring the ongoing rescue operation.

The teams of the Namchi district administration, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), Sikkim Police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Emergency Services, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Pakyong and Siliguri, along with other specialised agencies, were working tirelessly to recover the bodies of the remaining workers trapped inside the tunnel, Tamang said.

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The chief minister said he has directed the authorities to provide every possible assistance, expedite the rescue efforts, and ensure that the highest standards of safety are strictly maintained throughout the operation.

The rescue operation had been complicated by the presence of gas inside the tunnel, with several personnel experiencing dizziness and losing consciousness while attempting to reach the trapped workers, said the district officials. The gas is believed to be naturally emanating from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide, they said.

Bengal CM Adhikari offers assistance

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said he spoke to his Sikkim counterpart Prem Singh Tamang and assured him of all possible assistance.

He said the West Bengal government was closely monitoring the situation as there was a possibility that some of the affected workers were from Jalpaiguri district.

"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," Adhikari said in a social media post.

Also Read: How 150 labourers near Bengal-Sikkim border narrowly escaped death

Adhikari said West Bengal minister Bishal Lama and the Darjeeling district magistrate were proceeding to the accident site to ensure assistance.

"To ensure immediate assistance and on-ground coordination, Hon'ble Minister Shri Bishal Lama and the District Magistrate of Darjeeling are personally rushing to the site of the incident. Furthermore, our Home Secretary is in constant touch with the Sikkim Administration and is continuously getting updated regarding the rescue operations," the chief minister said.

(With agency inputs)