Sikkim Tunnel Accident: Death toll rises to 20, lives lost due to methane gas explosion and suffocation

Sikkim Tunnel Methane Gas Blast Accident: The death toll in the horrific accident that occurred in the under-construction tunnel of NHPC’s Teesta Stage-6 hydroelectric project in Namchi district of Sikkim has increased to 20. The body of another laborer was recovered during the rescue operation on Wednesday. A total of 25 laborers were trapped in the tunnel, out of which 20 have been confirmed dead so far, while the rescue operation is continuing to search for the remaining. According to preliminary investigation, the accident occurred due to a sudden explosion of methane gas inside the tunnel, causing poisonous smoke and gas to spread inside.

Big revelation in Sikkim Tunnel accident post mortem report

Actually, a horrific accident took place in the under-construction tunnel (NHPC Teesta Stage-6 Hydroelectric Project) in Namchi district of Sikkim at around 1 pm on Monday afternoon. Initial investigation has revealed that the tunnel collapsed due to the sudden explosion of methane gas trapped inside the rocks, due to which a huge amount of poisonous smoke and gas was filled inside.

What did the doctors tell?

According to the doctors of STNM Hospital in Gangtok, the main cause of death of the deceased laborer was asphyxiation. Additional Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr. Suresh Madan Rasaili informed that methane gas spreads very fast.

The chances of survival of a person affected by it are less than two to three minutes. He said that injuries and burn marks were also found on the dead bodies. According to him, the injuries may have been caused by falling debris during the tunnel collapse, while the burn marks may have been caused by the explosion.

20 deaths have been confirmed

The situation remains critical in the horrific accident that occurred in the under-construction tunnel of NHPC’s Teesta Stage-6 hydroelectric project in Namchi district of Sikkim. The total death toll has increased to 20 after the body of one more laborer was recovered during the rescue operation on Wednesday. A total of 25 workers were trapped in the tunnel, out of which 20 have been confirmed dead so far, while the rescue operation is continuing to search for the remaining workers.

Identification and investigation process

Out of the bodies recovered so far, identification of 8 has been completed. Among the identified workers, 4 are residents of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. There are 4 laborers, one each from Punjab, Uttarakhand, Assam and Sikkim. The process of identification of other dead bodies is going on rapidly. According to officials, if necessary, DNA test will also be conducted to identify the dead bodies.

Rescue operation going on war footing

On Wednesday morning, after taking out the water and mud accumulated inside the tunnel, the rescue operation was started again in full force. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and a specially called team from Asansol in West Bengal are making every possible effort to drain the water and reach the people trapped inside as soon as possible.

Jharkhand CM spoke

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has spoken to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang over phone. He has requested the Sikkim CM to provide all possible assistance to the affected laborers of Jharkhand. According to the report, at least four laborers from Khunti, Hazaribagh and West Singhbhum districts of Jharkhand were employed in this project.

Also read- Major accident in Sikkim: Landslide in Samardung tunnel under construction, 12-20 workers feared trapped.

declaration of compensation

After the accident, financial assistance and compensation have been announced at various levels. Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased by NHPC. Sikkim government will give Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50 thousand to each injured. At present, the investigating agencies are engaged in a detailed investigation to find out the exact cause of this tragic accident.