The district administration has confirmed seven fatalities amid ongoing search and rescue operations to evacuate workers trapped inside an under-construction tunnel at Samardung, Jholungey, in Namchi District, Sikkim.
According to official sources, the bodies of the deceased have been transported to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok, and Namchi District Hospital, as stated by the Information Public Relations department.
The Namchi District Administration, in coordination with the SDRF, NDRF, Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, the Health Department, and other relevant bodies, is conducting continuous rescue operations. The situation remains under close observation by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), which will provide further updates as appropriate.
District Collector Anupa Tamling provided earlier details on the incident, saying, “There is a possibility that around 27 workers are trapped inside the tunnel. However, since complete information about the condition inside the tunnel has not yet come in, the actual number has not been confirmed.” She noted that a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has entered the tunnel to commence rescue efforts.
Ms Tamling added, “Only after the NDRF team returns will there be clear information about how many workers are inside and what their condition is.”
The incident reportedly follows a suspected gas leak on Monday afternoon inside the tunnel at Samardung, resulting in workers being trapped. The exact circumstances and number of those trapped remain unclear.
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