Gangtok: The four-day search and rescue operation at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydropower Project tunnel in South Sikkim concluded on Thursday, with authorities confirming the death of all 25 trapped workers.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay, speaking after the budget session, described the incident as “extremely tragic.” He said that, on behalf of the state government, he and the Governor had personally visited the site to assess the situation. He stated that immediate instructions were issued to extend all possible assistance.
Golay further said that although reaching the exact location was difficult, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) had been deployed. He added that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with mining safety experts, had also reached the site, and all the agencies worked together in the rescue and recovery operations.
Golay further said, “So far, the recovery work has been carried out successfully to the extent possible. We also directed all hospitals where the post-mortems were being conducted to complete the procedures without delay”.
On behalf of the State Government, we have announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh to the families of each deceased person, and this assistance will be provided.
We have also constituted an inquiry committee to determine the cause of the blast, why it occurred, and the technical reasons behind it. Since we do not have such a specialised technical laboratory or company in the state, a committee has already been formed to investigate and establish the exact cause”, said Golay.
According to the Namchi District Administration, three more bodies were recovered during the final phase of the operation, taking the total death toll to 25. Rescue teams then carried out a thorough inspection of the tunnel and confirmed that no one remains trapped inside.
The deceased included workers and officials associated with NHPC Limited, ARX and Patel Engineering Limited. They belonged to 10 states across India, including 11 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.
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The bodies have been shifted to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok, Namchi District Hospital and Central Referral Hospital, Manipal, for medico-legal formalities. Authorities said the identified bodies have been handed over to their families.
The State Government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the tragedy and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents.
The operation involved the NDRF, SDRF, Eastern Coalfields Mine Rescue Team, Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, NHPC and the district administration, and was monitored by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority.
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