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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 incident took place at the Samardung tunnel, where a massive landslide blocked the entrance on Monday afternoon, cutting off workers inside.
At least one person has died and 27 workers are still feared trapped after a landslide sealed an under-construction tunnel in Sikkim’s South district.
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.
In a midnight update on Monday, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said one body had been recovered, while 27 workers were still feared trapped inside.
“One body has been recovered from the Samardung tunnel landslide site in South Sikkim, where 27 workers are feared trapped. Methane gas has hampered rescue efforts, with NDRF, SDRF, police and fire teams continuing operations,” the NDRF statement said, IANS reported.
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.
Teams from the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and the fire services are jointly carrying out the rescue operation.
The gas is believed to be naturally emanating from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide, officials said.
District Collector Anupa Tamling said the exact number of workers trapped in the Samardung tunnel was still being verified and could be more or less than the current estimate. “The rescue operation is becoming increasingly difficult due to methane gas exposure, the narrow tunnel and poor visibility,” she said.
Tamling said the priority at the moment is to rescue the trapped workers, following which a detailed investigation into the incident will be conducted.
Ambulances have been kept on standby, while rescuers equipped with gas masks and other protective gear are continuing efforts to reach the trapped workers, officials said.
The tunnel was being constructed by Patel Engineering as part of NHPC’s ADIT for the Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Power Project.
(With inputs from agencies)
The methane gas leak in the Sikkim tunnel was triggered by a landslide. The gas is believed to be naturally emanating from underground strata or rock formations disturbed by the landslide.
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