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Blast at India hydroelectric project leaves workers trapped in Sikkim

Authorities said the explosion was linked to a suspected methane gas leak, and survival chances for those trapped were considered slim due to toxic fumes.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Asia

Fifteen Indian workers were feared trapped after an explosion in a tunnel at a hydroelectric project in Sikkim, India, that killed 10 people, according to authorities cited by SCMP Economy.

The incident occurred Monday at a state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corp, NHPC, project on the Teesta river near Samardung village, where a sudden burst of suspected methane either trapped workers or became embedded in rocks, NHPC said.

NHPC reported that at least 25 project workers and officials were trapped, including the 10 bodies later retrieved, while state disaster management official Rajiv Roka said survival chances were slim as rescuers had to operate while contending with dense fumes and toxic gas.

Rescuers reportedly used oxygen cylinders, ropes and other emergency equipment, with photographs from the state government showing teams in orange hazard suits during the response.

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