Nine workers were killed in a tunnel collapse in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, according to local authorities. The incident occurred at an under-construction tunnel, and several others remain trapped.
9 workers
Workers confirmed dead after the tunnel collapse.
Some reports indicate that 15 workers were initially trapped after the collapse, while other sources only mention 'several others trapped' without specifying a number. A rescue operation is underway.
The collapse was likely triggered by a blast, according to a source familiar with the incident. The exact cause is still under investigation.
The tunnel, which was under construction at the time of the incident, is located in Sikkim, a state in northeast India. Authorities have launched a rescue operation to reach those still trapped.
Updates
The death toll from the tunnel collapse has risen to 10 from the previously reported nine, while 17 workers remain trapped or missing. Authorities suspect a sudden methane gas burst triggered the incident at the NHPC hydroelectric project site on the Teesta river. Rescue operations are currently being hampered by hazardous conditions within the tunnel structure.
Authorities now report conflicting figures regarding the casualties, with estimates of the death toll ranging between 10 and 11, up from the previously confirmed nine. Additionally, between 14 and 17 workers are now reported as trapped or missing. Officials currently suspect that a sudden burst of methane gas triggered the explosion at the NHPC hydroelectric project site on the Teesta river, though rescue efforts remain hindered by hazardous conditions.
The death toll from the tunnel collapse is currently disputed, with conflicting reports suggesting figures between 10, 11, and 12 fatalities. Additionally, estimates regarding the number of trapped or missing workers vary, with counts ranging from 13 to 17 individuals. Authorities suspect a sudden methane gas burst triggered the explosion, while toxic gases are officially confirmed to be severely hindering ongoing rescue efforts at the NHPC hydroelectric project site.
The death toll from the tunnel collapse is currently disputed, with varying reports suggesting between 10 and 12 fatalities compared to the initial count of 9. Additionally, between 13 and 17 workers are now reported as missing or trapped. Authorities suspect a sudden methane gas burst triggered the explosion, while rescue efforts are being hampered by hazardous toxic gas conditions inside the site.
The death toll from the tunnel collapse has risen significantly, with reports of fatalities ranging from 10 to 25 workers, contradicting the initial figure of nine. While authorities have confirmed that toxic gases and flooding are severely hampering rescue efforts, conflicting reports suggest that the number of missing individuals and those initially trapped remains uncertain. Additionally, officials have identified the site as an NHPC hydroelectric project near the Chinese border, noting that the presence of hazardous conditions makes the survival of any remaining trapped workers increasingly unlikely.
