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Rescue of two hydropower workers spurs search for survivors after Nepal floods

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Nepalese emergency teams intensified searches after rescuers pulled two hydropower workers alive from a tunnel following nine days underground.
  • The disaster has killed 1,325 people in Nepal and China, while 5,584 remain missing, according to figures cited in the report.
  • Nepal’s government pledged safe accommodation for thousands of displaced people living in temporary camps as international experts assist rescue efforts.

The rescue of two hydropower workers trapped underground for nine days has given Nepal’s emergency teams new momentum as they search through debris from a devastating flood disaster.

We have been working since morning on search and rescue operations

· Raja Ram BasnetThe Nepal Army spokesman described ongoing rescue work at the tunnel and other disaster sites.

The men were pulled alive from the Trishuli 3A tunnel on Friday, covered in mud, after a tsunami-like wall of water and mud swept across the China-Nepal border following a major glacial and rock collapse on August 26. They were taken to hospital and were reported to be in stable condition. Rescuers called the discovery a “miracle.”

Search operations continued at the tunnel and at several other sites. Nepal’s disaster agency said 1,294 bodies had been recovered in the country and 5,053 people remained missing. Chinese state media reported 31 deaths and 531 missing people, bringing the combined toll to 1,325 dead and 5,584 missing. At least 12 hydropower projects were destroyed.

We don’t have an update yet, but the work goes on.

· Raja Ram BasnetBasnet said rescue efforts continued despite no new information from the tunnels.

“We have been working since morning on search and rescue operations,” Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet told AFP. He said work was also continuing inside the tunnels, adding, “We don’t have an update yet, but the work goes on.” The government initially believed more than 100 workers could still be alive in several tunnels.

We know that staying there (camps) is not easy for you

· Balendra ShahNepal’s prime minister addressed people displaced by the disaster and living in temporary camps.

Experts from India, China, Australia and South Korea have joined Nepali rescuers. With morgues overwhelmed, Nepal Police said about 1,030 bodies had been buried in mass graves after DNA samples were collected for possible identification by relatives. Prime Minister Balendra Shah promised “safe and comfortable accommodation” for thousands of displaced people living in temporary relief camps. “We know that staying there (camps) is not easy for you,” he wrote. “(But) we will once again create an environment where you can dream about and build your future.”

(But) we will once again create an environment where you can dream about and build your future.

· Balendra ShahShah promised to provide better accommodation and help displaced residents rebuild their lives.
About this summary

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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