Tunnel Blast at Indian Hydroelectric Project Kills 22, Rescue Teams Search for Missing Workers

A methane gas explosion inside a tunnel at the NHPC 500 MW Teesta Stage VI hydroelectric project in Sikkim, India, has killed 22 workers, with rescue teams still searching for three others who remain missing. The incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by workers in underground construction, particularly when volatile gases are trapped within rock formations.

The blast occurred on the afternoon of July 20, 2026, in the Namchi district. Between 25 and 27 workers were inside the tunnel at the time. Two managed to escape, but the rest were trapped by debris, waterlogging, and toxic fumes. Nine additional bodies were recovered overnight, bringing the death toll to 22.

Rescue Hampered by Hazardous Tunnel Conditions

Search operations continued on July 23, with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Eastern Coalfields Limited working to locate the missing workers. However, rescue efforts have faced significant delays due to dangerous conditions inside the tunnel.

Rescuers have been forced to work in 15-minute shifts because of the presence of methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulfide. High water levels and mud have also required the use of specialised pumping equipment and night-vision gear.

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Postmortem examinations of the recovered victims revealed that the primary causes of death were asphyxiation and severe burn injuries. Most of the deceased were identified as migrant labourers from West Bengal, Punjab, and other parts of Sikkim.

Investigation and Compensation Announced

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to determine the exact cause of the disaster. Financial compensation has been established for the families of the victims, including Rs 4 lakh from the state government, Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s office, and a Rs 5 lakh ex gratia payment from NHPC.

The hydroelectric project was originally awarded to Lanco but was acquired by NHPC in 2019.

Separate Explosions Injure Workers in South Korea and Spain

In a separate incident on the morning of July 23, 2026, eight people were injured in a suspected explosion at an apartment facilities office in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Local authorities reported that one individual is in serious condition. Witnesses described a person entering the office with flammable materials and setting a fire, potentially linked to a reported conflict between residents and management.

In Spain, a gas explosion and subsequent fire occurred at the Plaça de Sants metro construction site in Barcelona late in the evening on July 22. Eight workers sustained injuries, two of them seriously, during the repair of a damaged gas pipe. The resulting fire burned for nearly two hours before being extinguished. While the L5 metro station entrance was closed following the blast, the L1 and L5 lines remained operational under a Procicat pre-alert status.

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Maritime and Energy Incidents Hit China and Bangladesh

Industrial safety concerns extended to maritime operations on July 22, 2026, when an explosion occurred on the container vessel Yihang Mingyuan at Yangluo Port in Hubei, China. The blast took place in the aft hold at approximately 05:30 local time, causing several containers to fall into the water. One crew member was reported missing, and the China Maritime Safety Administration has ordered a port shutdown pending an investigation.

Additionally, technical faults have disrupted energy infrastructure in Bangladesh. A failure at Excelerate Energy’s floating LNG terminal near Moheshkhali on July 21 removed approximately 450 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) from the national grid. Petrobangla warned that the fault, which occurred during a ship-to-ship transfer, would worsen existing gas shortages across the country. Repairs are expected to take at least two days to complete.

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