NEA technicians enter Trishuli 3A tunnel to search for trapped workers

Nepal Electricity Authority technicians have entered the Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel alongside the Nepali Army, searching for workers who may still be trapped inside. Their role is to help identify where people could have taken shelter in the underground powerhouse and support the rescue teams working there.

The operation gained a breakthrough when rescuers pulled two people alive from the mud-filled tunnel after nine days of continuous efforts. The survivors were identified as Sanjay Sah, an NEA mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a project supervisor. The Nepali Army said both were in stable condition, and project chief Awas Ojha said they were receiving treatment at the Army’s Military Hospital in Chhauni.

Rescuers also recovered one body from the tunnel, but officials had not yet established the person’s identity. The NEA estimates that as many as 42 engineers and employees may still be trapped in the project’s tunnel and underground powerhouse. A large number are believed to have been inside the powerhouse when the flood struck.

The search involves the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and the Nepal Electricity Authority. NEA technical staff joined the Army underground to help determine where the missing workers might be located. The search and rescue operation is continuing.