Sikkim tunnel disasters rise to 15; The search for the 10 trapped workers continues

Rescuers from NDRF, SDRF and other agencies are conducting search and rescue operations at the NHPC tunnel collapse site in Namchi on Wednesday. | Photo credit: ANI

The death toll from the Sikkim tunnel disaster rose to 15 on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) as several agencies continued search and rescue operations for the remaining 10 workers inside.

According to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC), 25 were trapped after a sudden release of suspected methane caused an explosion inside the under-construction main race tunnel for the Teesta State-VI hydroelectric project at Samardung in Namchi district of Sikkim. The accident occurred on July 20 at 1:04 p.m.

In a statement on Wednesday (July 22, 2026), NHPC said rescue operations are continuing round the clock in close coordination with Namchi District Administration, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Patel Engineering Limited, Eastern Coalfields Limited, Western Coalfields Limited, local authorities and other agencies.

“Of the 25 employees trapped inside the tunnel, 13 bodies have been recovered so far. We are continuing our best efforts to locate the remaining personnel,” it said in the afternoon. Later in the day, Namchi District Magistrate Anupa Tamling said two more bodies had been recovered from the tunnel. “The toll is now 15,” she told The Hindu.

The NHPC announced an ex gratia payment of ₹ 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and said that its top officials were present at the spot closely monitoring and coordinating the rescue operations.

Slushy snow hinders the search

The Sikkim government said rain and the accumulation of large amounts of mud and water inside the tunnel briefly hampered the search.

“Rescue teams are continuing intensive search and rescue operations under extremely challenging conditions with ongoing efforts to locate the remaining trapped persons,” a government spokesman said.

On Tuesday (July 21, 2026), Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the ongoing rescue operations. Both assured Mr. Tamang of all possible help from the Centre.

Published – 22 Jul 2026 18:40 IST