Death toll from blast at Indian hydroelectric project rises to 20 people

Rescuers in India's northeastern state of Sikkim believe no workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel at a hydroelectric project are likely to have survived, as the death toll has climbed to at least 20. The disaster occurred at a 500-megawatt project for the state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). Of the 25 workers initially trapped, 13 bodies have been recovered. Officials estimate seven to eight more bodies are visible within the tunnel but remain inaccessible.

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Out of the 25 who were trapped, 13 bodies have been recovered so far. The rescuers have also seen seven to eight more bodies inside, but they have not been able to retrieve them so far.

Rescue operations have been severely complicated by the tunnel being waterlogged and the presence of leaking methane gas from underground rock formations. Rajiv Roka, director of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, stated that the conditions make retrieving the remaining bodies difficult and that he does not anticipate any survivors. Recent torrential monsoon rains in the region have further hindered recovery efforts.

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There was a collection of water … so it’s been difficult to retrieve the bodies. Looking at the condition, I don’t think there could be any survivors.

The NHPC confirmed the tunnel collapse was triggered by an "explosive release of suspected methane gas." The corporation has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. Accidents at large infrastructure projects are not uncommon in India. Environmental experts note that a surge in development in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region, prone to seismic activity and unstable geology, increases the risk of such disasters.

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explosive release of suspected methane gas trapped/embedded in the rocks, resulting in the generation of dense smoke and toxic gases