Sikkim tunnel works halted after deadly landslide, dozens feared trapped

Construction on the Tista Stage‑6 tunnel in Namchi district has been suspended after a catastrophic landslide claimed seven lives and possibly trapped many more workers. The incident took place at approximately 15:09 local time on Tuesday, when a sudden collapse filled a portion of the tunnel with mud and rock.

The project, overseen by Patel Engineering, is part of a larger hydro‑electric scheme. Rescue personnel from national and state agencies, along with project engineers, are jointly conducting a recovery mission under hazardous conditions caused by a methane surge.

Preliminary estimates suggest that up to 27 laborers were inside the tunnel when the slide happened. While seven bodies have been retrieved and are undergoing autopsy, the search for the remaining workers is ongoing.

Local officials have not yet identified the root cause of the failure. Survivors who escaped report hearing a sharp, explosive noise moments before the ground collapsed, prompting an immediate evacuation of those near the entrance.