Sikkim tunnel collapse: 22 bodies recovered, search on for remaining workers
Synopsis
A tunnel collapse at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in South Sikkim has killed at least 22 workers, triggering one of the state's worst industrial disasters in years. With NDRF, SDRF, and Eastern Coalfields teams working through the night under hazardous conditions, the death toll could still rise as search operations continue for those unaccounted for.
Key Takeaways
22 bodies have been recovered from the collapsed tunnel at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Samardung, South Sikkim .
A second specialised rescue team from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Asansol arrived at the site at 10 pm on Wednesday to bolster the operation.
NDRF , SDRF , ECL, and other emergency agencies worked through the night despite unstable debris and restricted tunnel access.
The Sikkim state government is monitoring operations and has assured full assistance to victims' families.
Search and recovery operations are ongoing; all trapped workers are yet to be accounted for.
At least 22 workers have been confirmed dead after a tunnel collapsed at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Samardung, South Sikkim, with multi-agency rescue teams pressing on through hazardous conditions to locate those still unaccounted for, officials said on Thursday, 23 July. The disaster has been described as one of the worst industrial accidents in the state in recent years.
Round-the-Clock Recovery Operation
Rescue personnel worked through the night under extremely difficult conditions, battling unstable debris and severely restricted access inside the collapsed tunnel. A second specialised team from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Asansol, reached the site at around 10 pm on Wednesday and immediately joined the operation, bringing additional technical expertise and heavy recovery equipment.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Eastern Coalfields Limited, and other emergency agencies continued operations until midnight, according to officials overseeing the site.
State Government Response
Senior officials of the Sikkim state government and the district administration are continuously monitoring the rescue effort, coordinating with all agencies involved to ensure uninterrupted operations. Additional machinery and logistical support have been deployed to facilitate the recovery mission.
The state government has assured all possible assistance to the families of those who lost their lives and reiterated its commitment to supporting rescue personnel engaged in the operation.
Scale of the Disaster
Authorities confirmed that 22 bodies have so far been recovered from the accident site. Search operations are continuing as rescue personnel make every effort to locate the remaining victims. Specialised teams equipped with heavy machinery and technical rescue equipment have been working round the clock since the incident occurred.
The collapse at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI project has prompted one of the largest multi-agency rescue mobilisations seen in Sikkim in recent memory. Recovery operations are expected to continue until all those trapped inside the tunnel are accounted for.
Point of View
Where geological instability and compressed timelines routinely combine with fatal results. The involvement of multiple specialised agencies, including ECL's mine-rescue teams, signals that the tunnel's internal conditions are far beyond standard construction-site protocols. What demands scrutiny now is whether mandatory safety audits were current, whether workers had adequate egress infrastructure, and whether the NHPC project had flagged geological risk to regulators before work proceeded. The answers will matter long after the rescue operation concludes.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel in Sikkim?
A tunnel collapsed at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Samardung, South Sikkim, trapping multiple workers inside. As of 23 July, 22 bodies have been recovered and search operations are continuing for those still unaccounted for.
How many people have died in the Sikkim tunnel collapse?
Authorities have confirmed the recovery of 22 bodies from the accident site. The final toll may rise as rescue teams continue searching for remaining trapped workers.
Which agencies are conducting the rescue operation?
The rescue operation involves the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) from Asansol, and other emergency response agencies, all working under the coordination of state government and district administration officials.
What is the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project?
It is an under-construction hydroelectric project being developed by NHPC Limited in South Sikkim. The project site at Samardung is where the tunnel collapse occurred, triggering one of the worst industrial disasters in the state in recent years.
What support has the Sikkim government offered to victims' families?
The Sikkim state government has assured all possible assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy and has committed to extending every necessary support to rescue personnel engaged in the operation.
