Nine people have died and 15 are suspected to be trapped in a tunnel in the Indian state of Sikkim, where an explosion due to a liquefied gas leak occurred, officials said today.
The incident took place yesterday at the state-owned power company NHPC, at a project on the Tista River in Samardung village, district official Subash Ghimirej told Reuters.
"The incident was likely caused by a liquefied natural gas explosion, but we cannot say for sure yet," officials said, adding that nine charred bodies were recovered from the scene.
It is suspected that the chances of the remaining trapped people surviving the accident are slim because rescuers are having difficulty breathing in the tunnel.
At least 25 project workers and officials were trapped in the tunnel, local authorities said on Facebook, citing information from NHPC.
Rescuers unload oxygen tanks, ropes and other emergency equipment.
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