- A suspected gas explosion in an under-construction tunnel at a hydropower project in Sikkim, India, has resulted in at least 10 fatalities and 17 people missing.
- The incident occurred on Monday at the 500-megawatt Teesta hydroelectric project, located near the Chinese border, trapping numerous workers.
- Six officials from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) also became trapped after entering the tunnel to aid in rescue operations.
- Rescue teams are contending with hazardous conditions inside the tunnel, including the presence of toxic gases like methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen sulphide.
- Experts suggest the explosion was likely caused by accumulated gases in the seismically active Himalayan region, where fragile geology poses significant risks to tunnel construction.
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