The four-day search and rescue operation at the under-construction tunnel of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC) Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project at Samardung, Jholungey, under Namchi District, concluded today following sustained and coordinated efforts by multiple rescue agencies.
According to official information received from the District Administration, three more bodies were recovered during today’s operation, bringing the total number of deceased recovered to 25. Rescue teams subsequently carried out a comprehensive inspection of the tunnel and, after accounting for all recorded missing workers, confirmed that no one remained trapped inside.
The deceased comprised workers and officials associated with NHPC Limited, ARX, and Patel Engineering Limited. The victims hailed from ten States across the country, including eleven from West Bengal, four from Jharkhand, two each from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, and one each from Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Punjab, and Assam.
All recovered bodies have been shifted to Singtam District Hospital, STNM Hospital Sochakgang, Gangtok, Namchi District Hospital, and the Central Referral Hospital (CRH), Manipal, for the necessary medico-legal procedures. The identified bodies have been handed over to their respective families.
Meanwhile, the State Government has constituted a high-level committee to investigate the cause and circumstances surrounding the tragic incident and to recommend appropriate measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The extensive rescue operation was conducted under the supervision of the Namchi District Administration in close coordination with NHPC officials, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Mines Rescue Team of Eastern Coalfields Limited Asansol, Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, the Health and Family Welfare Department, and other line departments. The operation was closely monitored by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA).
With the successful completion of the search and rescue operation, the District Administration expressed its sincere gratitude to all participating agencies and personnel for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and exemplary coordination throughout the challenging four-day mission.
Report From DIO Namchi
