TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - All 25 people trapped in a tunnel after an explosion in northeastern India have been found dead, local authorities said Thursday, July 23, 2026, local time.
The victims had been trapped since Monday, July 20, in a tunnel under construction for a hydroelectric power project in Namchi District, Sikkim State.
The state-owned power company, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), said the explosion was triggered by a "sudden burst of suspected methane gas present inside the rocks."
The explosion generated a thick cloud of fumes and toxic gases that trapped the workers inside the tunnel.
Of the 25 victims, 19 were employees of Patel Engineering Limited.
Authorities said the search and rescue operation concluded on Thursday after four days involving various rescue agencies.
“Tragically, all 25 individuals lost their lives, and their bodies were recovered during the course of the operation,” the authorities said in a statement.
Preliminary findings suggest the explosion was caused by a flammable gas leak.
However, authorities stressed that the exact cause of the incident would only be determined after a thorough investigation by a team of experts.
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