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Rescuers continue grim search for Nepal flood survivors

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
  • Rescuers continued searching blocked tunnels and debris in Nepal after two hydropower workers survived nine days underground.
  • Authorities reported 1,325 deaths and 5,584 missing people across Nepal and China following the August 26 flood disaster.
  • Nepal’s government promised safer accommodation for thousands of displaced people living in temporary relief camps.

The rescue of two hydropower workers after nine days trapped underground has given Nepal’s emergency teams fresh resolve as they search for survivors of a catastrophic flood disaster.

We have been working since morning on search and rescue operations.

· Raja Ram BasnetThe Nepal Army spokesman described the ongoing search effort.

The men were pulled alive from the Trishuli 3A tunnel on Friday, covered in mud and in stable condition after being taken to hospital. They were among hundreds of hydropower workers who disappeared when a tsunami-like wall of water and mud swept across the China-Nepal border after a massive glacial and rock collapse on August 26.

Search teams continued working at the tunnel and at several other sites on Saturday. At least 12 hydropower projects were destroyed by the floods. Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said, “We have been working since morning on search and rescue operations.” He added, “We don’t have an update yet, but the work goes on.”

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

· Raja Ram BasnetBasnet said rescuers were still working at the tunnels without a new survivor update.

Nepal’s disaster agency said 1,294 bodies had been recovered in the country, while 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. Experts from India, China, Australia and South Korea joined Nepali rescuers in searches inside blocked tunnels.

Safe and comfortable accommodation

· Balendra ShahNepal’s prime minister promised housing for people displaced by the disaster.

With morgues overflowing, Nepal Police said 1,030 bodies had been buried in mass graves after DNA samples were collected for possible identification. Prime Minister Balendra Shah promised “safe and comfortable accommodation” for thousands of displaced people in temporary camps, acknowledging that “staying there (camps) is not easy for you” and pledging to create conditions where they could again build their future.

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

· Balendra ShahShah addressed people living in temporary relief camps.
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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