Rescuers in Nepal successfully pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel as emergency teams continued efforts to reach others trapped inside. The rescue took place at the Trishuli 3A tunnel, nine days following floods likely caused by a glacier collapse that affected towns and villages in Nepal.
Officials identified the rescued individuals as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor. The rescue operation was publicly confirmed after lawmaker Shri Ram Neupane shared information about the events on social media, and army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet confirmed the rescue of the first worker.
The two men were discovered after voices were heard from within the tunnel, enabling the rescue teams to locate and extract them. Both men were reported to be in stable condition and were flown to a hospital in Kathmandu for further treatment.
Family and loved ones expressed relief and gratitude. Amir Maharjan, the brother of one of the rescued workers, stated, “I can’t explain what we are feeling at the moment. We are just grateful to god.” His brother’s wife, Hirashova, recounted the stress and fear experienced over the past ten days, emphasizing their relief and happiness upon learning of the rescue.
At least 557 workers remain unaccounted for at the hydropower project along the Trishuli River, with around 115 believed to be trapped inside the main tunnel. Rescue teams continue their operations with the hope that more individuals may still be alive. Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina assured that efforts are underway to save more lives.
The floods have had a devastating impact, with the disaster management agency reporting at least 1,259 fatalities and over 5,000 individuals still missing. On the Tibet side of the border, China’s reports indicated that 21 people died and 541 were missing. Approximately 900 workers are unaccounted for across 12 different hydropower projects in Nepal, with about 500 trapped in tunnels according to local authorities.
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