Blast inside Tunnel in India Kills 25 Workers

JAKARTA - A total of 25 people trapped in a tunnel after an explosion in the northeast of India were found dead.

The victim has been trapped since Monday (20/7) in a tunnel that is still being built for a hydroelectric power plant project in Namchi District, Sikkim State.

As reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Friday, July 24, the state-owned electricity company, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), stated that the explosion was triggered by a sudden blast allegedly originating from methane gas in the rocks.

The explosion produced a thick plume of smoke and toxic gas that trapped workers inside the tunnel.

Of the 25 victims, 19 were workers of Patel Engineering Limited.

Authorities said the search and rescue operation ended on Thursday after it lasted for four days involving various rescue agencies.

"Tragically, all 25 people died, and their bodies were successfully evacuated during the operation," the authorities said in a statement.

Based on the initial findings, the explosion was allegedly caused by a leak of flammable gas.

However, authorities stressed that the exact cause of the incident would only be determined after an in-depth investigation by a team of experts.