NAMCHI, SIKKIM — A massive methane gas explosion inside an under-construction NHPC hydroelectric tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district has killed at least 14 workers, officials confirmed Wednesday.
Emergency teams are currently battling hazardous underground conditions, toxic fumes, and structural instability in a desperate bid to rescue several laborers believed to be trapped deep inside the debris.
The fatal blast ripped through the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) project site late Tuesday night. Initial reports indicate that a sudden buildup of highly flammable methane gas triggered the explosion, causing portions of the tunnel roof to collapse instantly on the night-shift crew.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state rescue teams were rushed to the site immediately. However, high levels of residual toxic gases and the threat of secondary cave-ins have severely hindered progress. Rescuers equipped with specialized breathing apparatus are working to clear heavy concrete blocks and vent the tunnel to reach the remaining workers.
The project is part of a major green-energy initiative aimed at boosting regional power grids. Construction sites in the Himalayan region have long faced scrutiny from environmentalists and engineering experts due to fragile geological conditions, seismic vulnerability, and the inherent risks of pocketed subterranean gases.
Local authorities have ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident to determine if adequate safety monitoring systems and gas detectors were operational at the time of the blast.
