India Sikkim Hydropower Tunnel Collapse Kills 25 Workers

A tunnel under construction at NHPC Limited's Teesta Stage VI hydroelectric project in Samardung village, Sikkim, collapsed on July 20, likely after a methane buildup or gas explosion. The disaster trapped workers inside the underground passage.

Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force and Sikkim Police spent four days attempting to reach survivors, but all trapped workers were later recovered dead, bringing the death toll to 25. The rescue operation ended after 72 hours of effort.

The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols and oversight for large‑scale hydropower projects in India’s mountainous regions.