Two hydropower workers rescued alive in Nepal nine days after devastating floods raise hope for hundreds still missing inside tunnels.
Nepal search teams rescue two workers from hydropower tunnel
Two hydropower workers have been rescued alive nine days after devastating floods struck Nepal, raising fresh hopes that other missing workers could still survive inside buried tunnels.
Rescue teams in Nepal have pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel that was buried under mud, rocks and debris during the catastrophic floods that swept through the Himalayan region nine days ago.
The two men were rescued early Friday from the main tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower construction site. Their survival has renewed hopes that more people could be found alive in underground tunnels and other structures affected by the disaster.
The rescue operation came after days of difficult searches through areas heavily damaged by floodwater, landslides and huge amounts of debris. The disaster destroyed roads, damaged infrastructure and swept through communities across parts of Nepal and the Tibet region.
The rescued workers were identified as 30-year-old mechanical foreman Sanjay Shah and 45-year-old mechanical supervisor Kabir Maharjan. Both men had been trapped inside the hydropower tunnel since the disaster struck on August 26.
Footage released following the rescue showed emergency workers celebrating as one of the survivors emerged through a narrow opening covered in mud. Rescuers helped him out and carried him toward a waiting helicopter.
A second survivor was also brought out safely. Covered in mud, he was seen pressing his hands together in a gesture of prayer while emergency workers carried him away on a stretcher.
The two workers were taken for medical treatment after being rescued. Officials said they would later be transported to a hospital in Kathmandu for further care and observation.
The successful rescue has become a major source of hope for families still waiting for news about missing workers. Hundreds of people are believed to remain trapped or missing at hydropower construction sites following the devastating floods.
At the Trishuli 3A project alone, at least 557 workers are reported missing. Around 115 people are believed to have been inside the main tunnel when the disaster struck.
One of the rescued workers reportedly told rescuers that other people may still be alive inside the tunnel. The information has encouraged emergency teams to continue searching despite the extremely difficult conditions.
Rescue crews are facing thick layers of mud, unstable ground and damaged infrastructure as they attempt to reach sections of the tunnel that remain inaccessible. Heavy debris has made it difficult for rescuers to move equipment and safely enter some areas.
Nepal’s authorities have continued to express hope that additional survivors can be found. Rescue teams are working against time while carefully searching underground areas where workers may have become trapped.
The floods were among the most destructive disasters to hit the region in recent years. The torrent of water, mud and rocks swept through Himalayan valleys, destroying homes, roads, bridges and construction sites.
The disaster is believed to have been linked to the partial collapse of a glacier, which triggered a powerful surge of water and debris. The resulting floods affected communities on both sides of the Nepal-China border.
More than 1,200 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal, while thousands of others remain missing or displaced. On the Tibet side, Chinese authorities have also reported dozens of deaths and hundreds of missing people.
The scale of the disaster has created a major challenge for emergency services. Search teams have been working in dangerous terrain while families continue to wait for information about relatives who disappeared during the floods.
Nepal has mainly relied on its own emergency and security forces during the rescue operation. However, international assistance has also begun arriving as the search for survivors continues.
Australia has sent a 15-member team of drone specialists and emergency personnel to assist with the search. The team is expected to use drone technology to help locate people and identify areas that may be difficult for rescuers to reach on foot.
Australian officials said they continued to hope that survivors could be located in isolated or inaccessible areas.
The rescue of Shah and Maharjan has provided a powerful reminder that people trapped underground may still survive for several days under extreme conditions. Their recovery has encouraged rescuers to intensify efforts at other hydropower sites.
For families waiting for missing relatives, the two successful rescues have brought renewed hope. Search teams are now continuing operations at the Trishuli 3A project and other affected locations.
Authorities say the rescue effort will continue as long as there is a possibility of finding more survivors. The focus remains on reaching buried tunnels, clearing debris and locating workers who may still be alive.
As rescue crews continue their search, the survival of the two hydropower workers has become one of the most hopeful developments since the devastating Nepal floods began. Their rescue could provide crucial motivation for teams searching for hundreds of other missing workers across the disaster zone.
