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live Breaking news Tuesday July 21, 2026 :Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: 10 Dead, 20 Workers Trapped

Sikkim Tunnel Collapse

July 21, 2026 | Updated: 11:47 AM IST By: IndiaPrimeTV News Desk / NEET Paper Leak: Parliament Highlights

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Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: 10 Dead, 20 Workers Trapped

Updated: 10:20 AM IST  July 21, 2026 |By: IndiaPrimeTV News Desk /

Sikkim tunnel updated came now Ten workers have now been confirmed dead after another body was recovered from the under-construction Samardung tunnel in Sikkim’s Namchi district. Rescue teams have successfully pulled out the bodies of the deceased from the site. At the time of the incident, a total of 43 employees were inside the tunnel, out of which 16 managed to escape safely. According to the district administration, an estimated 18 to 25 personnel are still feared trapped inside.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang over the phone to take stock of the relief and rescue operations. PM Modi expressed deep condolences to the people of Sikkim during this difficult time and assured all possible assistance from the Central Government.

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Updated: 08:40 AM IST IndiaPrimeTV News Desk . India Weather LIVE Updates: 39 Dead as Heavy Rain, Floods and Landslides Batter Multiple States. New Delhi: At least 39 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents across India as the Southwest Monsoon intensified, triggering flash floods, landslides, cloudbursts and lightning strikes in several states.

According to official reports, Jammu & Kashmir has recorded 23 fatalities, while another 16 people have died in weather-related incidents across northern and eastern India over the past few days.

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Sikkim Tunnel Collapse LIVE Updates: 7 Workers Dead, Rescue Operation Underway for 20 Trapped

Published: July 21, 2026 | Updated: 08:10 AM IST By: IndiaPrimeTV News Desk /

Sikkim Tunnel Collapse LIVE Updates: 7 Workers Dead, Rescue Operation Underway for 20 Trapped  .New Delhi: Rescue teams are racing against time after a devastating tunnel accident in Sikkim’s Namchi district, where seven workers have been confirmed dead and 20 others remain trapped inside a tunnel under construction at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project.

The incident occurred on Monday, July 20, 2026, at around 3:40 PM IST in the Samardung (Jholunge) area during construction work inside the hydropower tunnel.


What Caused the Sikkim Tunnel Collapse?

According to preliminary reports, a powerful methane gas explosion occurred inside the tunnel. The blast triggered a massive landslide, completely blocking the tunnel entrance with debris.

The rescue operation has become extremely difficult due to:

  • Continuous methane gas leakage
  • Critically low oxygen levels
  • Heavy debris blocking access
  • Narrow underground passages
  • Poor visibility inside the tunnel

Officials said some rescue personnel initially experienced dizziness and lost consciousness because of toxic gas exposure before being evacuated for medical treatment.


Rescue Operation Faces Major Challenges

Immediately after the incident, teams from:

  • National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
  • State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
  • Sikkim Police
  • Fire & Emergency Services

were deployed to the accident site.

A specially trained rescue team from West Bengal equipped with advanced gas detection devices, breathing apparatus and protective equipment has also joined the operation.

Authorities continue to remove debris while monitoring methane concentration to ensure the safety of rescue workers.


Workers Trapped Inside the Tunnel

Initial estimates suggested that 27 workers were trapped inside the tunnel.

According to district administration officials:

  • 21 workers belong to private contractor Patel Engineering Ltd.
  • 6 workers are associated with project-related agencies.

The workforce includes local employees from Sikkim, while most labourers are from:

  • West Bengal
  • Assam
  • Bihar
  • Uttar Pradesh

They were employed as skilled and unskilled workers for the hydropower tunnel construction project.


Bodies Shifted to Hospitals

The bodies recovered so far have been shifted to:

  • Singtam District Hospital
  • Namchi District Hospital
  • STNM Hospital, Gangtok

Several ambulances remain on standby to provide immediate medical assistance to workers rescued from the tunnel.

Rescue officials have stated that operations will continue until every trapped worker is located.


Key Highlights

  • 7 workers confirmed dead.
  • 20 workers remain trapped.
  • Accident occurred at NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project.
  • Preliminary reports indicate a methane gas explosion triggered the collapse.
  • NDRF, SDRF, Sikkim Police and Fire Services are conducting rescue operations.
  • Special rescue teams from West Bengal have joined the mission.
  • Rescue efforts are complicated by methane gas, low oxygen and blocked access.

 Tags

Sikkim Tunnel Collapse, Sikkim News, NHPC, Teesta Stage VI, Namchi News, Tunnel Accident, India Breaking News, Rescue Operation, NDRF, Methane Explosion, Hydropower Project, Patel Engineering, Sikkim Disaster, IndiaPrimeTV

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