Death toll may increase in Sikkim tunnel accident! Death of 12 laborers confirmed, claim of seeing 8 more bodies inside

By Samira Vishwas On Jul 22, 2026

Sikkim: After the massive explosion inside the tunnel under construction in Sikkim, the fear of increasing the death toll amid relief and rescue operations has increased the concern. 25 workers were trapped between debris and poisonous gas after a part of the tunnel collapsed in Namchi district of South Sikkim. As of Tuesday, the deaths of 12 workers had been confirmed, while 13 others were still reported missing. Meanwhile, the rescue team has claimed to have seen some more bodies inside the tunnel, but the district administration has not officially confirmed these claims.

The accident occurred around 1 pm on Monday afternoon in the tunnel being built for NHPC’s Teesta Phase-VI hydroelectric project in Samardung area. After the incident, a large-scale rescue operation was started to rescue the workers trapped inside the tunnel. However, some media agencies are saying that 20 laborers have died and 5 are missing. However, there has been no official confirmation of the death of 20 laborers yet.

#WATCH | Sikkim: Search and rescue operation resumes at NHPC tunnel collapse site in Namchi. Latest visuals from the site.
Till now 12 bodies have been recovered. 13-15 are still feared trapped. NDRF, SDRF, Sikkim Police, Coal mining Experts team, Fire and Emergency Services… pic.twitter.com/PEtiJptwfz
— ANI (@ANI) July 22, 2026

Confirmation of death of 12 laborers

Namchi District Collector Anupa Tamling said that till Tuesday evening, 12 bodies had been taken out from the tunnel. The search for 13 laborers was still going on. According to officials, seven of the recovered bodies have been identified. The dead are said to include migrant laborers from West Bengal, Punjab, Assam and Uttarakhand. The administration has said that the rescue operation will continue till night and will be resumed on Wednesday morning.

However, some members of the mining safety team who arrived from West Bengal claimed to have seen eight more bodies inside the tunnel. If this claim proves true then the number of deaths in the accident may increase. At present, Namchi district administration and police have confirmed only 12 deaths.

Government announced compensation

After the accident, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visited the spot along with Governor Om Prakash Mathur. The Chief Minister announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured. He said that a high level committee will be formed to investigate the causes of the accident. The Chief Minister also informed that a special mining rescue team from West Bengal has reached the spot and is helping local teams in searching for the workers trapped in the tunnel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also talked to Chief Minister Tamang and took information about the situation. The Central Government has given assurance of all possible help. The Prime Minister has announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand for the injured. In Sikkim Assembly also, tribute was paid to the workers who lost their lives in the accident and the members observed two minutes silence.

Fear of methane gas explosion

According to preliminary investigation, the accident occurred near the third entrance of the tunnel. This place is said to be about one and a half kilometer inside the main mouth of the tunnel. This tunnel is part of the 500 MW Teesta Phase-VI Hydroelectric Project. According to NHPC, the explosion may have occurred after the sudden release of methane gas trapped inside the rocks. The company said that due to the explosion, dense smoke and poisonous gases spread inside the tunnel.

According to an official, while digging the tunnel, the machine probably reached a gas-filled hole inside the rock. After hitting that part of the machine, the gas came out and exploded. However, the final cause of the accident can be confirmed only after investigation.

Difficulties faced in rescue operation

The mining safety team of Eastern Coalfields Limited of West Bengal has also joined the rescue operation. The team has reached the spot carrying special safety equipment and modern machines with it. Rescue team members claimed to have seen eight more bodies inside the tunnel. He says that a large part of the tunnel has been filled with mud, due to which it is becoming very difficult to reach the dead bodies and take them out.

Apart from this, the health of some personnel also deteriorated during the rescue operation. Later the presence of carbon monoxide gas was revealed inside the tunnel. Due to poisonous gas, the rescue work faced difficulties for some time. According to officials, the presence of carbon monoxide in the tunnel indicates a possible explosion of methane gas. The burn marks found on the bodies of the victims and the presence of poisonous gas are also being linked to this suspicion.