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Gangtok. The death toll in the collapse of the Head Race Tunnel (HRT) under construction of NHPC’s Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district of Sikkim has increased to 13. NHPC confirmed this on Wednesday and said that the rescue operation is continuing to search for the remaining workers trapped in the tunnel.

The accident occurred on Monday afternoon due to the collapse of a portion of the under-construction tunnel in the Samardung-Jholunge area. Following the accident, suspected methane gas leakage filled the tunnel with poisonous gas and smoke, making rescue operations challenging.

According to NHPC, a total of 25 workers were trapped in the tunnel. So far, 13 bodies have been recovered, while the district administration, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Patel Engineering Limited, Eastern Coalfields Limited, Western Coalfields Limited and other agencies are jointly conducting a round-the-clock operation to search for the remaining workers.

NHPC has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each worker who lost his life in the accident. At the same time, the Sikkim government has also announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the families of each deceased and Rs 50 thousand to the injured.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, while ordering a high-level inquiry into the accident, has said that if negligence of any agency or individual is found, strict action will be taken against it. Top NHPC officials are present at the spot and are continuously monitoring the rescue operation. The Central Government has also assured to provide all possible assistance for relief and rescue operations.

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