The incident occurred at around 1.05 p.m. on 20 July when a suspected methane gas pocket trapped inside the rock strata reportedly burst, triggering an explosion.
Photo: ANI/File
The public sector undertaking National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has expressed deep grief over the tragedy and extended its condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them of all possible support.
NHPC has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each of the 25 workers who died in the explosion inside the under-construction Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of the Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in Sikkim.
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The rescue operation at the tunnel concluded with the recovery of the bodies of all 25 trapped personnel.
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The incident occurred at around 1.05 p.m. on 20 July when a suspected methane gas pocket trapped inside the rock strata reportedly burst, triggering an explosion that filled the tunnel with dense fumes and toxic gases.
According to the official closure report issued by the District Magistrate of Namchi, preliminary findings indicate that the blast may have been caused by the leakage of combustible gas. The exact cause, however, will be established after a detailed expert investigation.
The Sikkim government has constituted a four-member committee to ascertain the cause of the accident. The panel, set up on 22 July, has been asked to submit its report within 15 days.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said the committee would determine the cause of the blast, examine whether there were any technical lapses or negligence on the part of the company, and establish the exact circumstances that led to the accident.
“All bodies have been identified and, after completion of the official procedures, have been handed over to their family members on Friday,” Senior Superintendent of Police Namchi, Sonam D. Bhutia said.
NHPC also thanked the District Administration, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Coal India Limited, Patel Engineering Limited, Eastern Coalfields Limited, Western Coalfields Limited, local authorities, and all others who participated in the rescue operation under extremely challenging conditions.
The company further expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, and the governments of Sikkim and West Bengal for their guidance, support, and timely assistance during the rescue operation.
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