A body was recovered on Monday evening from the site of a landslide inside the under-construction Samardung tunnel in South Sikkim, where a methane gas leak has severely hampered rescue operations. The identity of the deceased has not yet been established. The body was recovered by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and shifted by ambulance for further procedures.
Rescue operations are continuing at the Samardung tunnel in Mamring, where an estimated 27 people are feared trapped after a landslide inside the tunnel allegedly triggered a methane gas leak on Monday afternoon. The incident occurred at around 3:09 pm inside the tunnel, which is being constructed by Patel Engineering for the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project.
According to initial reports, the landslide blocked the tunnel passage, trapping workers inside. Rescue efforts have been complicated by a high concentration of methane gas, making it extremely hazardous for personnel to reach the affected section. Rescue operations are being carried out by the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, and Fire and Emergency Services. Authorities have also regulated traffic movement in the area to facilitate the rescue mission.
Namchi District Collector Anupa Tamling said district authorities immediately alerted NDRF teams from Siliguri and Pakyong, along with the SDRF, soon after receiving information about the incident. The high concentration of methane gas inside the tunnel made rescue operations extremely challenging. The first NDRF team that entered the tunnel had to evacuate Fire and Emergency Services personnel who had gone in during the initial rescue attempts. A second NDRF team later entered the tunnel, and rescue operations are continuing.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the landslide. As of now, we are unable to understand the reason behind the landslide. According to workers who managed to come out, they heard a huge blast-like sound from inside the tunnel and immediately ran out. There are workers who remain trapped inside, said Tamling.
The number of people trapped remains provisional. So far, around 19 workers are believed to have been trapped initially. Subsequently, three personnel from Patel Engineering entered the tunnel to carry out rescue operations, but two of them also became trapped, taking the total from Patel Engineering to 21. In addition, six personnel from NHPC are also believed to be inside, bringing the estimated number to 27. The actual figure could be more or less. Until the NDRF reaches the exact location where the workers are trapped, we cannot confirm the situation inside, she said.
The District Collector said the administration’s immediate priority is to rescue those trapped inside. Our first priority is to rescue the people inside, she said. Sources said members of an initial rescue team experienced dizziness and breathing difficulties while attempting to enter the tunnel due to the methane gas. They were brought out safely and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
