27 workers trapped in tunnel after landslide-gas leak in Sikkim, relief and rescue operation continues

Sikkim Tunnel Landslide: A landslide in Sikkim’s Namchi district on Monday afternoon blocked the entrance of an under-construction road tunnel, trapping at least 27 workers inside. According to the police, suspected gas leakage also started inside the tunnel after the landslide, making the rescue operation more challenging.

landslide in sikkim

Police officials said that it is suspected that due to the landslide, there was movement in the underground rocks and earth layers, due to which the leakage of natural gas started. Due to the presence of gas, entering the tunnel has become extremely risky.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and fire and emergency services teams are jointly carrying out relief and rescue operations to rescue the stranded workers. However, due to the presence of gas inside the tunnel, the operation is facing continuous problems.

#WATCH | Rescue operations are underway in Sikkim’s Namchi district after a tunnel collapsed, trapping at least 12 workers. More details awaited

(Video Source: Sikkim Police) pic.twitter.com/3TpH6YTyRV

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2026

Workers trapped in a ton under construction

A police officer said that while trying to reach the trapped workers, many rescue workers felt dizzy due to the gas and became unconscious. As a precautionary measure, ambulances have been deployed at the spot, while special rescue teams equipped with gas masks are trying to reach the workers by entering the tunnel.

According to officials, this tunnel is under construction under a national highway project. At present, the relief and rescue operations are going on a war footing and the priority of the administration is to safely rescue all the workers trapped in the tunnel.

Also read: Shock over the death of four Indians in the missile attack on the ship MV Golden, know what the government said