Death toll from blast at Indian hydroelectric project rises to 20 people
Summary
A gas explosion caused a tunnel collapse at a hydroelectric project in Sikkim, India, killing at least 20 people. Rescue efforts have been slow due to water in the tunnel and leaking methane gas, making it hard to recover all the bodies.Key Facts
- At least 20 people died after a gas explosion caused a tunnel collapse in a hydroelectric project in Sikkim, northeastern India.
- Out of 25 trapped workers, 13 bodies have been recovered so far; rescuers have seen 7-8 more bodies but cannot retrieve them yet.
- Rescue operations are difficult because the tunnel is flooded and methane gas is leaking from underground rocks.
- The hydroelectric project has a capacity of 500 megawatts and is managed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
- The explosion was likely caused by the sudden release of methane gas trapped in rock formations inside the tunnel.
- Recent heavy monsoon rains have made rescue and recovery efforts more challenging.
- Infrastructure accidents are common in India, and experts warn that rapid development in the fragile Himalayan region increases disaster risks due to seismic activity and unstable rock.
- In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days in a tunnel collapse in northern India’s Uttarakhand state.
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