At least eight people have died and more than 18 workers are feared trapped after a landslide struck a tunnel construction site in South Sikkim, severely hampering rescue efforts due to a suspected methane gas leak.
The accident happened around 3.09 pm on Monday inside the Samardung tunnel where Patel Engineering is building a section of the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project.
So far, 12 workers have been rescued and efforts of teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, and Fire and Emergency Services are going on to search for people for securing people’s lives.
According to preliminary reports, a landslide closed the tunnel and blocked it, leaving several workers trapped inside. Teams have not yet been able to get to the area where the remaining workers are thought to be trapped due to dangerously high levels of methane gas.
According to Namchi district collector, Anupa Tamling, the rescuers tried to go in the tunnel but couldn’t go further when there was dangerous situation. She said the first NDRF team had to also be taken away as the individuals who had gone in were not wearing any protective equipment.
The cause of the landslide is still being investigated, officials said. Survivors reportedly heard a loud blast-like sound before rushing out of the tunnel.
The surrounding area has been closed to traffic for rescue efforts as well.
Sources report that some of the rescue personnel experienced dizziness and difficulties with their breathing due to exposure to methane gas and were referred to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The first priority for the administration is to get all who are trapped out of the building safely, the administration said.