Two Men Rescued from Nepal Tunnel, Hopes for More Survivors

Emergency workers heard voices from the Trishuli-3A hydropower plant tunnel early Friday, leading to a successful extraction operation involving local rescue teams and medical transport to Kathmandu.

Rescue Operations at Trishuli-3A Hydropower Plant

Two male workers trapped inside a tunnel at the Trishuli-3A hydropower facility were pulled to safety, as reported by a local parliamentarian on Facebook. The rescued men, found covered in mud, were carried out by rescue workers wearing helmets, according to local media footage cited by the NOS.

Government officials confirmed that both survivors sustained injuries to their hands and benen (legs), likely from crawling through the debris-filled tunnel. The rescue operation was described as a “wonder” by emergency responders. Following their extraction, the men were transported by helicopter to a hospital in the capital city of Kathmandu. The office of the Nepalese prime minister reported that the condition of one worker is stable, while the second man receives treatment in the intensive care unit.

Missing Workers and Tunnel Estimates

The scale of the disaster remains vast across the region. According to an energy producers’ umbrella organization cited by the NOS, at least 557 workers from the Trishuli-3A plant remain missing. Local authorities estimate that roughly 115 people are still trapped inside the specific tunnel where the two men were found. Nationwide, approximately 900 workers across twelve hydropower plants remain unaccounted for, with local authorities estimating that about 500 laborers are trapped in various tunnels.

Despite the grim statistics, officials maintain hope for additional survivors. “A sincere thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly day and night to rescue two people alive! Hard work and prayers are underway to rescue more and more survivors,” Timilsina stated, adding that authorities are waiting for further successful extractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people died in the floods in Nepal and Tibet?

More than 1,200 people died in the devastating floods, with the death toll expected to rise further as rescue operations continue, according to the NOS.

How many workers are still missing at hydropower plants?

Local authorities report that about 900 workers across twelve hydropower plants are missing nationwide, with roughly 500 laborers estimated to be trapped inside tunnels.

Where were the two rescued men taken?

What caused the miners or workers to become trapped?

The workers were trapped following a massive flood event that struck Nepal and Tibet more than a week prior to the rescue, inundating the Trishuli-3A waterkrachtcentrale (hydropower plant) infrastructure along the Trishuli river near the border with Tibet.