Methane Gas Explosion, Not Landslide, Caused Sikkim Tunnel Collapse That Killed 10: Sources
New Delhi, October 17: A methane gas explosion during excavation work, rather than a landslide as initially reported, is believed to have caused the collapse of the Samardung tunnel in Sikkim, sources at the project site said. The incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, has claimed at least 10 lives, with 18 workers still feared trapped inside.
According to sources, the tragedy unfolded when rocks containing trapped methane gas exploded during excavation inside the under-construction tunnel, triggering a massive gas leak. The hazardous gas quickly spread through the tunnel, making it impossible for workers inside to escape and severely hampering rescue operations.
Rescue personnel who initially entered the tunnel were forced to retreat due to the high concentration of methane gas before reaching those trapped, sources added. This was not the first methane gas leak reported inside the tunnel; a similar, albeit minor, incident had occurred around four months ago, causing first-degree burn injuries to a few workers.
The incident took place at 3:09 pm at the Samardung tunnel in south Sikkim. Patel Engineering is constructing a section of the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at the site. The workers feared trapped hail from different parts of the country, including Jharkhand, Assam, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Bodies recovered from inside the tunnel were found with extensive burn injuries and were not buried under debris, suggesting a methane gas leak during excavation rather than a landslide, sources said. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police and Fire and Emergency Services are carrying out rescue and search operations for the remaining trapped workers.
Authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of the collapse, but the sources' account raises questions about safety protocols at the construction site. The state government has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
