Two workers rescued alive from Nepal tunnel nine days after floods

Two workers have been rescued alive from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower plant in Nepal, nine days after devastating flash floods and landslides struck the country.

The workers, identified as Sanjay Shah and Kabir Maharjan, were found on Friday (September 4) during a search operation for 42 workers reported missing at the hydropower project.

Nepal Electricity Department senior official Suresh Raut told the BBC that both workers were receiving oxygen after being rescued. Shah was flown to a hospital in Battar, northwest of Kathmandu, while Maharjan was being prepared for transfer to Kathmandu’s Chhauni Military Hospital.

Officials said Shah was unable to speak immediately after being brought out, while Maharjan was seen smiling and thanking rescuers.

Sanjay is an employee of the Nepal Electricity Department, according to an official. His colleague Suresh Chaudhary said workers had been waiting anxiously for news and that the rescue had renewed hopes of finding others alive.

Footage from the site showed around a dozen rescuers pulling one worker through a narrow opening in the earth. Rescuers applauded after he was brought to safety.

Nuwakot district police chief Bipin Regmi said rescuers had heard human voices from inside the tunnel and were continuing the search to determine whether more workers remained trapped. A medical team was also being sent to the site.

The tunnel leading to the underground powerhouse is more than four kilometres long. Dozens of workers were inside when the floods struck. Several hydropower projects along the Trishuli River were damaged by the floods and landslides, with workers from countries including China, South Korea and India among those affected.

The disaster has caused widespread flooding and destruction across Nepal. More than 1,200 people have reportedly died in the disaster so far.