Sikkim tunnel collapse: CM visits site as death toll reaches 10; PM announces ex gratia

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Tuesday, July 21, visited the site of the tunnel collapse at the under-construction NHPC Teesta Stage VI Hydroelectric Project in Namchi district, where the death toll has risen to 10, as rescue teams continued efforts at the disaster site.
 

Governor Om Prakash Mathur also visited the site to assess the rescue operation and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He reviewed the ongoing efforts with officials and urged all agencies involved to continue the operation with utmost urgency while ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.
 

According to officials, 10 bodies have been recovered from the collapsed ADIT-3 tunnel at Samardung in Jholungey, where workers and project officials were trapped after a landslide triggered the collapse on Monday.
 

During his visit, the Chief Minister reviewed the ongoing rescue operation and interacted with officials overseeing the response.
 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Tamang to enquire about the situation and the progress of the rescue operation.
 

Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Modi said he was "anguished" by the tragedy and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
 

The Prime Minister also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the incident.
 

In a post on X, Tamang said the Prime Minister had assured the State of all possible assistance from the Centre.
 

"His words of concern and compassion for the affected workers and their families, along with his assurance of every possible assistance from the Government of India, have provided immense strength and reassurance to the people of Sikkim during this difficult hour," the Chief Minister said.
 

He said teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), district administration, Sikkim Police, Fire and Emergency Services, medical teams and local volunteers were continuing rescue operations in coordination.
 

Tamang thanked the Prime Minister for the Centre's support and said the State government remained committed to ensuring all possible assistance to the affected families while rescue efforts continued under challenging conditions.