Rescuers resume operation to recover remaining bodies from Sikkim’s NHPC tunnel

Search and rescue operations at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project tunnel in Sikkim's Namchi district resumed on Wednesday (July 22, 2026) after being temporarily suspended due to the accumulation of mud and water inside the tunnel, officials said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Asansol rescue team resumed operations early in the day, with efforts focused on pumping water out of the tunnel, they said.

At least 20 workers were killed after the tunnel under construction collapsed following an explosion of suspected methane gas.

Officials said that 12 bodies have so far been retrieved from the tunnel.

The recovery of the remaining bodies will begin once the accumulated water is drained and the site is declared safe for further operations, they said.

According to an NHPC statement, a sudden burst of suspected methane gas trapped/embedded inside the rocks led to the explosion, generating dense fumes and toxic gases.

Medical teams and ambulances remained stationed at the site to provide emergency assistance to rescue personnel, officials said.

Ex gratia announced for victims

State-run NHPC announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the next of kin of each deceased in a blast incident.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced ₹4 lakh ex gratia for the next of kin of each of those workers who died in the collapse of the tunnel and ₹50,000 for every injured person. The PM also announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for each of the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 each to the injured persons.