A methane gas explosion has caused significant casualties at a hydroelectric facility in Sikkim’s remote mountains. The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s 500-megawatt project experienced a tunnel collapse triggered by what officials describe as an explosive release of methane gas trapped within rock formations. The incident resulted in the death of at least 20 workers, with 13 bodies recovered as of the reporting date and additional fatalities observed but not yet retrieved from the collapsed structure.
Rescue operations have faced substantial obstacles due to waterlogged conditions within the tunnel and continued methane gas emissions from underground rock formations. Rajiv Roka, director of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, indicated that conditions within the tunnel make survival unlikely for the remaining unaccounted workers. Regional monsoon rains have further complicated recovery efforts in the area.
The NHPC stated that a comprehensive investigation into the collapse will be conducted. The incident reflects broader concerns raised by environmental specialists regarding infrastructure development in the Himalayan region. Experts attribute an uptick in construction-related disasters to increased development activity in an ecologically sensitive area characterized by seismic instability and challenging geological formations that pose particular risks during tunnelling operations.
Major accidents at large infrastructure sites continue to occur across India. A notable previous incident occurred when workers became trapped for an extended period following a tunnel collapse at a road construction project in the northern Uttarakhand region in 2023.
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