Sikkim Tunnel Collapse: 11 Dead, 15 Trapped As Massive Rescue Operation Continues

[00:00:00]A major rescue operation is underway in South Sikkim after workers were trapped inside an under construction tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage 6 hydroelectric project at Samardungan, Julongay, Namchi district. According to the district administration, 10 people have died in the tunnel collapse. The bodies of the deceased have been shifted to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok, and Namchi District Hospital for further procedures. Rescue teams continue efforts to evacuate those still trapped inside the tunnel. Nivedita joining us for more on this story.

[00:00:29]Nivedita, what can you share with us with regards to the latest in this rescue operation?

[00:00:35]>> Well, absolutely, Uday. The rescue operations continue as far as the Sikkim tunnel is issue is concerned. There are the SDRF and the NDRF along with the emergency services are all there.

[00:00:46]They're trying to rescue and also evacuate those people who are stranded and affected there. And also, we we see that significant efforts have been made to take the injured people to the nearest medical facilities and provide them with necessary medical information. All out efforts are ongoing currently to continue the rescue operations amid the inclement weather conditions here in Sikkim because you know that the weather situation is very difficult over the last few days, and which has led to a lot of issues when it comes to the rescue and relief operations as the secure emergency services have faced a lot of resistance due to the weather.

[00:01:22]But the operations continue as as as as we see the NDRF, SDRF, and other forces working extensively. All out efforts have been done to especially make sure that the people who are injured are given necessary medical treatment, and we just hope that if there are any people who are still stuck there can be taken out to safety.

[00:01:45]>> All right. Let me in fact ask you to stay with us. More of breaking news now coming in.

[00:01:52]A massive rescue operation is underway in South Sikkim after a tunnel collapse at the NHPC Teesta stage six hydroelectric project in Namchi district. Officials say 27 workers remain trapped inside the nearly 10 km long tunnel more than eight hours after the incident. Preliminary information suggests the mishap occurred between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The exact cause is yet to be confirmed, but sources indicate a possible gas leak triggered by a landslide may have led to the workers getting trapped inside the tunnel. Authorities have said the reason behind the incident will be established only after a detailed investigation. The Namchi district administration along with NHPC officials as CRF, NDRF, Sikkim police, fire and emergency services and other departments are carrying out the large-scale rescue operation. Nibedita continues to be with us on the story.

[00:02:33]Nibedita, what are the latest updates you can share with us about this update about this rescue operation? What is leading to it being so challenging for the authorities? Is it the terrain?

[00:02:46]Is it the nature of the landslide? Is it the gas leak?

[00:02:51]What is the complication in this entire rescue operation, Nibedita? And how many people are believed to be trapped inside?

[00:02:59]>> Well, we so far we know that the around 15 people are still trapped inside the tunnel and at least 11 are killed so far have been killed and 15 others still remain trapped. The biggest challenge here is that in the Sikkim Namchi district, the continuous rainfall is ongoing which has led to destabilizing the terrain and also hampering the progress of the Sikkim emergency services. There is also a suspected toxic gas leak. All these are preliminary information with the we we are yet to get an exact forensic confirmation on this.

[00:03:34]As as a result of that, the rescue operations have faced severe challenges amid the complicated weather situation as well. And the operations continue amid the challenges wherein we have to praise the efforts of the emergency workers, but 15 people are still feared to be trapped and all out efforts are currently ongoing to rescue those people who are suspected to be trapped inside the tunnel.

[00:04:01]>> All right, stay with us in Nevada. We're getting more breaking news now coming in.