Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:25pm on 20 Jul 2026,Monday India
More than 27 workers remain trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim's Namchi district after a suspected methane gas explosion caused a landslide. The incident happened at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project on Monday. Rescue teams from the NDRF, SDRF, police and fire services are continuing operations. Officials said hazardous gas, low oxygen levels and poor visibility have made rescue efforts difficult. Some workers escaped after the blast, but others remain trapped deep inside the tunnel. District Collector Anupa Tamling said the operation is “becoming increasingly difficult” due to methane exposure and the narrow tunnel passage.
