Sikkim tunnel tragedy: 8 more bodies traced; extreme conditions hamper retrieving

By  News On Air   Jul 22, 2026

In Sikkim, eight more bodies have been traced by the rescuers inside the tunnel at Samardung in Namchi district. However, due to extreme conditions, rescue teams are finding it difficult to retrieve the bodies.

According to the officials, very low visibility and leakage of methane gas made the mission challenging. The rescue teams of NDRF, SDRF, Sikkim police and mining experts pumped out the water from the tunnel today. So far 13 bodies have been recovered.

According to the initial reports, 25 people are trapped inside the tunnel. Senior officials of Sikkim government and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation are monitoring the situation at the site.