Rescue efforts have been further complicated by a methane gas leak triggered by the landslide, making it difficult for emergency teams to access the tunnel safely.
At least ten people have died and several workers are still feared trapped after a landslide blocked an under-construction tunnel at the Samardung site in Sikkim’s Namchi district, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident took place at the Samardung tunnel, where a massive landslide blocked the entrance on Monday afternoon, cutting off workers inside.
Rescue efforts have been further complicated by a methane gas leak triggered by the landslide, making it difficult for emergency teams to access the tunnel safely.
The District Administration has confirmed ten fatalities, with the bodies being taken to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital in Gangtok, and Namchi District Hospital.
VIDEO | Sikkim tunnel collapse: Namchi Superintendent of Police Sonam Dolma says, “10 bodies have been recovered; 3 bodies remain unidentified; deceased are from Bengal, Uttarakhand, Assam, and Sikkim.”
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/ueWh6L9Yxl
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 21, 2026
The Namchi District Administration, in coordination with various agencies, is continuing rescue and relief efforts, while the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) is closely monitoring the situation
Gangtok, Sikkim: NDRF teams are carrying out a rescue operation after a landslide inside the under-construction Samardung tunnel at Mamring in South Sikkim reportedly triggered a methane gas leak, leaving an estimated 27 people feared trapped pic.twitter.com/QUHFaab9jy
— IANS (@ians_india) July 20, 2026
Gas Leak Slows Rescue
Rescue efforts are continuing, but operations have been hampered by the presence of methane gas inside the tunnel. According to officials, several rescue personnel experienced dizziness and even lost consciousness while attempting to reach the trapped workers.
Rescue operations are continuing to evacuate those trapped, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, NHPC officials and other departments involved in the operation.
PMO Announces Ex-Gratia
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of deceased, and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the inicdent.
Anguished by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Namchi, Sikkim. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 21, 2026
