Story perspectives

Methane Blast Collapses Teesta Tunnel, 12 Dead

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

A methane-gas explosion collapsed the 500-MW Teesta Hydroelectric Project tunnel, killing 12 workers and trapping 13.
The blast occurred about 40 km south of Gangtok, releasing toxic gas that has blocked rescuers.
Worker Gandura Oraon, 38, escaped in a lunch-delivery vehicle while his supervisor stayed and was later found dead.
Experts warn the seismically active Teesta River basin makes tunnel work risky, noting a February Meghalaya mine blast that killed 18.

History

Historical Context

In December 1967 a magnitude-6.6 quake near the Koyna Dam killed at least 177 people, sparking debate over reservoir-induced seismicity. The dam, India’s second-largest hydroelectric plant run by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board, was reinforced in 1973 and 2006 and monitored via a deep-borehole project. The 1975 tremor revived safety concerns that shape current Indian dam-risk policies.

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Story summary

A methane-gas explosion collapsed the 500-MW Teesta Hydroelectric Project tunnel, killing 12 workers and trapping 13.
The blast occurred about 40 km south of Gangtok, releasing toxic gas that has blocked rescuers.
Worker Gandura Oraon, 38, escaped in a lunch-delivery vehicle while his supervisor stayed and was later found dead.
Experts warn the seismically active Teesta River basin makes tunnel work risky, noting a February Meghalaya mine blast that killed 18.

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