Press Release
Press release from Lokbhavan
Information & Public Relations Department
Date: 21/07/2026
Honourable Governor of Sikkim, Shri Om Prakash Mathur, today visited the Samardung area of the Namchi Tunnel accident site.
The Honourable Governor of Sikkim, Shri Om Prakash Mathur, today visited the Samardung area of Namchi district in South Sikkim. He personally inspected the tunnel under construction for the Tista Stage VI hydroelectric project and conducted a detailed review of the actual situation of relief and rescue operations.
On this occasion, Honourable Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang was also present at the incident site.
According to information received, the incident occurred yesterday due to the sudden burst of suspected methane gas in the tunnel under construction for the NHPC Tista Stage-VI hydroelectric project in Samardung, South Sikkim, resulting in dense smoke and toxic gases emanating from the tunnel.
The district administration, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local officials, Sikkim Police, India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and other emergency agencies, is continuously working to help in rescue operations.
According to the district administration's report, 10 bodies have been recovered from the tunnel so far, while several workers and officials are still trapped inside, and every possible effort is being made to safely extract them.
In view of this sensitive situation, the Honourable Governor has urged the disaster management officials to ensure full readiness for relief and rescue operations so that immediate assistance can be provided to the affected people. He has also directed the administration to make every possible effort for the treatment of the injured and to provide all affected individuals with necessary medical facilities.
Expressing deep sorrow over this tragic incident, the Honorable Governor said that this is a time to unite and support the affected families.
The Honorable Governor prayed for the peace of the departed souls and wished for the safe rescue of people trapped inside the tunnel and the speedy recovery of the injured.
Honourable Governor of Sikkim, Shri Om Prakash Mathur, today visited the Samardung area of the Namchi Tunnel accident site.
The Honourable Governor of Sikkim, Shri Om Prakash Mathur, today visited the Samardung area of Namchi district in South Sikkim. He personally inspected the tunnel under construction for the Tista Stage VI hydroelectric project and conducted a detailed review of the actual situation of relief and rescue operations.
On this occasion, Honourable Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang was also present at the incident site.
According to information received, the incident occurred yesterday due to the sudden burst of suspected methane gas in the tunnel under construction for the NHPC Tista Stage-VI hydroelectric project in Samardung, South Sikkim, resulting in dense smoke and toxic gases emanating from the tunnel.
The district administration, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local officials, Sikkim Police, India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and other emergency agencies, is continuously working to help in rescue operations.
According to the district administration's report, 10 bodies have been recovered from the tunnel so far, while several workers and officials are still trapped inside, and every possible effort is being made to safely extract them.
In view of this sensitive situation, the Honourable Governor has urged the disaster management officials to ensure full readiness for relief and rescue operations so that immediate assistance can be provided to the affected people. He has also directed the administration to make every possible effort for the treatment of the injured and to provide all affected individuals with necessary medical facilities.
Expressing deep sorrow over this tragic incident, the Honorable Governor said that this is a time to unite and support the affected families.
The Honorable Governor prayed for the peace of the departed souls and wished for the safe rescue of people trapped inside the tunnel and the speedy recovery of the injured.
