Two workers were successfully rescued from a hydropower tunnel in Nepal on Friday, nine days after devastating floods, believed to have resulted from a glacier collapse, wreaked havoc on towns and villages on August 26. The rescue operation was conducted by emergency teams focused on reaching other individuals potentially trapped within the Trishuli 3A tunnel.
The two men, identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor, were pulled alive, marking a significant moment in the ongoing rescue efforts. Nepalese lawmaker Shri Ram Neupane shared updates about the rescue on Facebook, shortly after Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet, an army spokesperson, confirmed the initial rescue of one worker. The operation continues as authorities strive to locate additional survivors in the aftermath of the floods.
Rescuers successfully located and rescued two men trapped in a tunnel after hearing voices from within on Friday morning. Local news coverage highlighted the first rescued worker, who was seen covered in mud and carried out by a rescuer. Both men were reported to be in stable condition and were subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu for further medical care. Amir Maharjan, the brother of one of the rescued workers, Kabir Maharjan, expressed overwhelming gratitude, stating, “I can’t explain what we are feeling at the moment. We are just grateful to god.”
The emotional impact was echoed by Hirashova, the worker wife, who shared with CBS News partner network BBC News, “We couldn’t properly eat or drink for 10 days. We were very scared. Now we are all happy. We are even crying.” This dramatic rescue has brought relief and joy to the families involved, marking a hopeful resolution to a harrowing ordeal.
According to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal, the Trishuli 3A hydropower project has reported at least 557 workers unaccounted for, with around 115 believed to be trapped inside the facility main tunnel. Rescue officials maintain hope that some individuals may still be alive within the tunnel. Nepal Communication Minister, Bikram Timilsina, expressed optimism on social media, stating, “We are waiting for the rescue of more and more people.”
The recent floods have led to at least 1,259 confirmed fatalities in Nepal, while over 5,000 individuals remain unaccounted for, based on reports from the country disaster management agency. The situation in neighboring China is similarly severe, with 21 reported deaths and 541 individuals missing on the Tibetan side of the border. Additionally, around 900 workers from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal are currently missing, with local estimates suggesting that approximately 500 of those could be trapped within tunnels.
In a rare but hopeful turn, two workers, Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan, were rescued from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A site over a week following the flash floods that wreaked havoc along the Nepal-Tibet border, which have resulted in over 1,300 deaths. They were airlifted to a Kathmandu hospital, sustaining injuries to their hands and legs. In the same tunnel, authorities believe at least 39 more individuals may still be trapped, and over 100 people remain unaccounted for in various tunnels associated with hydropower projects along the Trishuli River.
Amidst the widespread devastation and the dimming prospects for recovery, this incident offers a brief glimmer of hope, echoing reports from correspondents in Nepal. The catastrophic flooding, attributed to a glacial collapse, has transformed the landscape, destroying numerous buildings and infrastructures, and leaving thousands unlocated. The situation underscores the ongoing tragedy and the relentless search and rescue efforts still underway despite the overwhelming adversity faced by those involved.
How did workers get stuck in huge tunnels?
In the aftermath of flash flooding in Nepal, workers at hydropower sites along the Trishuli River became trapped in extensive underground tunnel networks. As floodwaters surged through the region, they inundated these tunnels with mud, leading to a precarious situation for those working within them. While some workers managed to escape, estimates suggest that over 150 individuals remain trapped.
Rescue operations have escalated in complexity, with measures including “blasting boulders” to create safe pathways for extrication, and army personnel employing explosives on nearby hillsides to assist in the rescue. Additionally, engineers are actively pumping air into the mud-filled tunnels to aid in the recovery efforts and ensure the trapped workers’ safety.
Death toll reaches 1,301 in Nepal and Tibet, with more than 5,300 still missing
The death toll from the recent flash flooding in Nepal and Tibet has reached 1,301, with an alarming 5,339 individuals still reported as missing. This includes a staggering 1,280 deceased and 4,798 unaccounted for in Nepal, as stated by the Nepalese police service in their latest update. In Tibet, officials confirmed an increase in fatalities to 21, alongside 541 people still missing.
The disaster has affected a significant number of foreigners, with individuals from at least 34 different countries presumed to be among those unlocated. Rescue operations are currently underway in several hydropower tunnels across Nepal, where it is feared that over 150 people may be trapped.