At least nine people have died and 15 others remained trapped after a tunnel collapsed at an under-construction hydroelectric project.
The incident occurred Monday in the Himalayan state of Sikkim, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project on the Teesta river.
“We are estimating around 25-27 people were trapped,” said Rajiv Roka, director of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority.
“Nine bodies have been recovered.”
The collapse was likely triggered by a blast, the cause of which was yet to be ascertained.
Roka said authorities were “not sure what caused the blast because it was deep in the tunnel”, adding that “it was most probably natural”.
Toxic methane gas leaking from underground rock formations was hampering rescue efforts, allowing only teams carrying oxygen equipment to enter.
A specialised team trained in mining accidents had been flown in to aid the rescuers. — AFP
