At least 10 killed in India tunnel disaster with 17 more missing

Rescue workers outside the entrance to the tunnel in Samardung village, India (AP)

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.