Four-day rescue in Samardung tunnel concludes; authorities confirm all 25 trapped workers dead
The four-day search and rescue operation at the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI tunnel in South Sikkim ended with authorities confirming all 25 trapped workers were found.
The four-day search and rescue operation inside the NHPC Teesta Stage-VI Hydropower Project tunnel at Samardung in South Sikkim has ended. Authorities said that the recovery work concluded on Thursday after confirming that all 25 trapped workers had died.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay, speaking after the state budget session, called the incident “extremely tragic.” He said he and the Governor visited the site to assess the situation and that the government issued instructions to extend assistance.
Rescue teams worked together; tunnel checked for survivors
Officials said reaching the exact location was difficult, but the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was deployed. The operation also involved the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and mining safety experts, who worked together with local agencies.
During the final phase, district authorities reported that three more bodies were recovered, taking the death toll to 25. After the recovery concluded, teams carried out a thorough inspection of the tunnel and confirmed that no one remains trapped inside.
Bodies sent for post-mortems; inquiry announced
The deceased included workers and officials linked to NHPC Limited, ARX, and Patel Engineering Limited. Authorities said the teams belonged to 10 states across India, including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Punjab and Assam.
Officials said the bodies were shifted to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok, Namchi District Hospital, and the Central Referral Hospital in Manipal for medico-legal formalities. The identified bodies were handed over to their families after formal procedures. The state government has also constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the cause of the tragedy and suggest measures to prevent similar incidents. Golay said hospitals conducting post-mortems were directed to complete procedures without delay.
He added that the government will provide financial assistance, and that an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh has been announced for the families of each deceased person. The recovery and monitoring involved the NDRF, SDRF, Eastern Coalfields Mine Rescue Team, Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, NHPC, district administration, and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority.
