Tunnel blast kills 10 Indian workers, 15 feared trapped in Sikkim

Ten Indian workers lost their lives and at least 15 others are feared trapped following a blast at a hydroelectric project in India's northeastern state of Sikkim. The incident occurred on Monday at a project owned by state-run National Hydroelectric Power Corp (NHPC) on the Teesta river in Samardung village.

Authorities reported that the explosion was likely caused by a gas leak, suspected to be methane trapped within the rocks in the tunnel. The blast released dense fumes and toxic gas, complicating rescue efforts. "Survival chances for the trapped workers were slim," stated Rajiv Roka, a state disaster management official, highlighting the dangerous conditions rescuers must navigate.

NHPC confirmed that at least 25 project workers and officials were initially trapped, a figure that includes the 10 bodies recovered so far. Rescue teams were seen unloading emergency equipment, including oxygen cylinders and ropes, from a vehicle, as depicted in photographs shared on the state government's Facebook page. The ongoing rescue operation is battling hazardous fumes, making the task of reaching any survivors extremely difficult.

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Survival chances for the trapped workers were slim.