27 Workers Possibly Stuck as Methane Fumes Flood Construction Tunnel

District Collector Anupa Tamaling confirmed that about 19 construction workers were initially trapped, and three Patel Engineering staff entered the tunnel for rescue, two of whom also became trapped. In addition, six employees of NHPC are reported to be inside, raising the potential total to 27 individuals.

The exact number remains uncertain, and officials stress that the rescue effort will not be declared complete until the NDRF can locate every trapped person. The primary objective remains the safe extraction of all workers still inside the tunnel.