Samardung Tunnel Tragedy : Death Toll Rises to 13; NHPC Announces ₹5 Lakh Ex Gratia for Each Deceased

Samardung Tunnel Tragedy : Death Toll Rises to 13; NHPC Announces ₹5 Lakh Ex Gratia for Each Deceased

Namchi, July 22: The death toll in the tragic incident at the under-construction Head Race Tunnel (HRT) of NHPC's Teesta Stage-VI Hydroelectric Project in South Sikkim has risen to 13, as rescue teams continue round-the-clock efforts to locate and evacuate the remaining trapped personnel.

According to NHPC, 25 workers were trapped inside the tunnel following the incident. So far, 13 bodies have been recovered, while search and rescue operations are continuing to trace and rescue the remaining personnel at the earliest.

The rescue operation is being carried out jointly by the District Administration, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), NHPC, Patel Engineering Limited (PEL), Eastern Coalfields Limited, Western Coalfields Limited, local authorities and several other agencies working in close coordination at the site.

NHPC said its top management is present at the project site and is closely monitoring the rescue mission while coordinating with all agencies involved to ensure the operation progresses without interruption.

The public sector undertaking has also announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin of each person who lost their life in the tragedy.

Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives, NHPC extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and said every possible effort is being made to complete the rescue operation at the earliest.

[Samardung Tunnel tragedy, NHPC Teesta Stage VI, South Sikkim tunnel rescue, Namchi tunnel incident, NHPC ex gratia, Sikkim rescue operation]

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