At least nine died after a landslide damaged a tunnel construction site in Sikkim and led to a gas leak late on Monday (Jul 20). Relief and rescue operations are underway following an incident inside a tunnel in Samardong, South Sikkim. Police said that around 27 people may be trapped inside the tunnel. The workers were trapped at Mamring near Rangpo, where the Samardung tunnel is being constructed for the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project. According to reports, all 16 workers have been rescued, while one died. The workers were taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Rangpo, where they underwent medical examinations and received necessary treatment.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Gangtok, Sikkim: Rescue operations are underway in Sikkim&#39;s Namchi district after a tunnel collapsed, trapping at least 12 workers. More details awaited. (Source: Sikkim government) <a href="https://t.co/DTWs7KLtDa">pic.twitter.com/DTWs7KLtDa</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2079270116936860054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Speaking to media about the incident, District Collector of Namchi district, Anupa Tamling, initially said, “There is a possibility that around 27 workers are trapped inside the tunnel. However, since complete information about the condition inside the tunnel has not yet come in, the actual number has not been confirmed.” She added that that a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has joined the rescue operations. The District Collector also said that only after the NDRF team returns will there be clear information about how many workers are inside and what their condition is.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-all-quietly-watched-us-pilot-recounts-horrific-tejas-crash-reveals-his-team-withdrew-from-dubai-airshow-1763891602507">‘We all quietly watched…’: US pilot recounts horrific Tejas crash, reveals his team withdrew from Dubai Airshow</a>

When asked about the sequence of events leading to the incident, the District Collector said that the workers who were working inside the tunnel heard a sound like an explosion. “The incident took place at around 3.09 pm. Fire and emergency services personnel and police officials attempted twice to enter the tunnel without protective gear, but were forced to return because of the hazardous conditionsShe said rescue and relief operations are currently ongoing and no one has been evacuated from the tunnel so far. She added that the administration, police, and emergency services are present at the tunnel site, and continuous efforts are being made to bring all the workers out safely.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dramatic-video-of-suv-crash-near-atal-tunnel-surfaces-vehicle-lands-on-steel-rods-1-killed-1782982867558">Dramatic video of SUV crash near Atal Tunnel surfaces: Vehicle lands on steel rods, 1 killed</a><h2>Cause of the explosion?</h2> When asked about the cause of the accident, he said: “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.” Rescue efforts are being carried even as rescuers are facing massive difficulties. Rangpo Fire and Emergency Services personnel pushed inside but retreated after encountering toxic fumes and lethal oxygen levels. Several rescuers fell ill during the attempt.&nbsp;&nbsp;Later it was revealed according to preliminary reports, methane gas had accumulated around 1.5 kilometres inside the tunnel. Around midday, an attempt to release the trapped gas reportedly triggered an explosion, leading to a landslide that blocked a section of the tunnel.

A major rescue operation is underway in Sikkim after a methane gas explosion triggered a landslide inside the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel project, trapping several workers deep inside the tunnel.

At least nine died after a landslide damaged a tunnel construction site in Sikkim and led to a gas leak late on Monday (Jul 20). Relief and rescue operations are underway following an incident inside a tunnel in Samardong, South Sikkim. Police said that around 27 people may be trapped inside the tunnel. The workers were trapped at Mamring near Rangpo, where the Samardung tunnel is being constructed for the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project. According to reports, all 16 workers have been rescued, while one died. The workers were taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Rangpo, where they underwent medical examinations and received necessary treatment.

A major rescue operation is underway in Sikkim after a methane gas explosion triggered a landslide inside the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel project, trapping several workers deep inside the tunnel.

At least nine dead, several trapped as methane explosion triggers landslide inside tunnel in Sikkim

The death toll from the NHPC tunnel collapse in Namchi, Sikkim, has risen to 22, with rescue teams continuing operations to locate the remaining victims. Specialized rescue personnel remain on the ground as authorities monitor the situation and provide support to affected families. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has received over 17 lakh enumeration forms during the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Karnataka. Officials have urged voters to submit their forms before the August 8 deadline, even if voter mapping details are unavailable.

Sikkim Tunnel Collapse Death Toll Rises To 22 | Karnataka Voter List Revision Sparks Concern

The death toll in an under-construction tunnel collapse in Sikkim’s Namchi district has gone up to 20 even as rescue operations are underway to save five more workers who are trapped. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) said that they are working in close coordination with the district administration, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, local authorities and other emergency agencies to support the rescue operations. In addition, a special rescue team from DG Mines-Safety reached the site. Tamang said that the tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Jholungey caved in after a landslide.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-least-one-dead-several-trapped-as-methane-explosion-triggers-landslide-inside-tunnel-in-sikkim-1784592121822">Several trapped as methane explosion triggers landslide inside tunnel in Sikkim</a>&nbsp;According to workers, a huge blast-like sound from inside the tunnel after landslide.” Rangpo Fire and Emergency Services personnel pushed inside but retreated after encountering toxic fumes and lethal oxygen levels. Several rescuers fell ill during the attempt. According to preliminary reports, methane gas had accumulated around 1.5 kilometres inside the tunnel. The gas is believed to have naturally come from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sikkim-tunnel-collapse-landslide-suspected-to-have-triggered-a-gas-leak-in-samardung-tunnel-1784621521372">Sikkim tunnel collapse: Landslide suspected to have triggered a gas leak in Samardung tunnel</a>&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang over the phone and offered every possible support for the rescue efforts. The PMO also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured. Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari also spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Tamang and offered full support. He also said the West Bengal government was closely monitoring the situation as there was a strong possibility that some of the affected workers were from Jalpaiguri district. He also said minister Bishal Lama and the Darjeeling district magistrate were heading to the site to help with coordination as rescue operations continued.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2026/20260722/image-1784692463981.png"></figure>

At least 20 people were killed and five remained trapped after a methane gas explosion triggered a landslide and collapse inside an under-construction NHPC tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district. Toxic fumes and low oxygen levels hampered rescue efforts

The death toll in an under-construction tunnel collapse in Sikkim’s Namchi district has gone up to 20 even as rescue operations are underway to save five more workers who are trapped. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) said that they are working in close coordination with the district administration, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, local authorities and other emergency agencies to support the rescue operations. In addition, a special rescue team from DG Mines-Safety reached the site. Tamang said that the tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Jholungey caved in after a landslide. Also Read: Several trapped as methane explosion triggers landslide inside tunnel in Sikkim According to workers, a huge blast-like sound from inside the tunnel after landslide.” Rangpo Fire and Emergency Services personnel pushed inside but retreated after encountering toxic fumes and lethal oxygen levels. Several rescuers fell ill during the attempt. According to preliminary reports, methane gas had accumulated around 1.5 kilometres inside the tunnel. The gas is believed to have naturally come from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide. Also Read: Sikkim tunnel collapse: Landslide suspected to have triggered a gas leak in Samardung tunnel Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang over the phone and offered every possible support for the rescue efforts. The PMO also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured. Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari also spoke to Sikkim Chief Minister Tamang and offered full support. He also said the West Bengal government was closely monitoring the situation as there was a strong possibility that some of the affected workers were from Jalpaiguri district. He also said minister Bishal Lama and the Darjeeling district magistrate were heading to the site to help with coordination as rescue operations continued.

At least 20 people were killed and five remained trapped after a methane gas explosion triggered a landslide and collapse inside an under-construction NHPC tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district. Toxic fumes and low oxygen levels hampered rescue efforts

Sikkim tunnel collapse: Death toll rises to 20, rescue operations underway to save 5 trapped workers

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At least nine dead, several trapped as methane explosion triggers landslide inside tunnel in Sikkim

Sikkim Tunnel Collapse Death Toll Rises To 22 | Karnataka Voter List Revision Sparks Concern

Sikkim tunnel collapse: Death toll rises to 20, rescue operations underway