In Sikkim, a search and rescue operation is on for the third day today to evacuate people trapped inside the under-construction tunnel of the NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project at Samardung in Namchi district. Official sources said that 12 bodies have been recovered so far and 13 persons are believed to be trapped inside the ill-fated tunnel.

 

Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang Golay visited the accident site yesterday. The chief minister announced setting up a high-level inquiry to find out the causes of the incident. Mr Golay further said that the incident might have happened due to the explosion of methane gas and not because of landslides.