NAMCHI: After four grueling days of continuous search and recovery efforts in treacherous conditions, the massive multi-agency rescue operation at the site of the Sikkim tunnel collapse has officially concluded. On Thursday evening, July 23, 2026, authorities in Sikkim’s Namchi district confirmed the devastating news that they had successfully retrieved the bodies of all 25 workers who were trapped underground following a catastrophic explosion.
Rescue Mission Completed In Sikkim Tunnel Collapse
The tragic incident took place on July 20 at the under-construction headrace tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project. District Magistrate Anupa Tamling confirmed to the press that the final three bodies were recovered during the last phase of the operation on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 25. Following the retrieval of the victims, rescue personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, and specialized mining teams conducted a final, exhaustive inspection of the tunnel network. Officials verified the records of all missing personnel and confirmed that no individuals remained trapped inside, bringing the intense mission to a close.
The deceased individuals were a mix of direct employees and contract workers engaged by NHPC Limited, ARX, and Patel Engineering Limited. The tragedy has impacted families across the nation, as the victims hailed from ten different states. Official records indicate that 11 of the deceased were from West Bengal, four from Jharkhand, two each from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, and one each from Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Punjab, and Assam. All recovered bodies were transported to local hospitals for medico-legal formalities before being handed over to their grieving families.
Investigating the Methane Blast
The primary cause of the Sikkim tunnel collapse is believed to be an unexpected and explosive release of methane gas. According to the NHPC, the workers were approximately 1.5 kilometers deep inside the tunnel when the sudden gas release triggered a massive blast and subsequent collapse. Authorities suspect that the drilling equipment may have struck methane-embedded rocks, generating a spark that ignited the highly volatile gas.
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To ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies of this magnitude, the Sikkim state government has established a high-level investigative committee. This panel is tasked with thoroughly examining the structural and safety failures that led to the incident and recommending stringent safety protocols for future large-scale infrastructure projects in the region.