Two Rescued Alive From Trishuli 3-A Tunnel, But Number Still Trapped Is Unclear

Two workers have been found alive inside a tunnel at Nepal’s Trishuli 3-A Hydropower Project, 10 days after they became trapped. Mechanical foreman Sanjay Sah and supervisor Kabir Maharjan were rescued on the morning of September 4.

The pair were found along a tunnel leading to the powerhouse, according to project chief Awas Ojha. Rescue teams have not yet reached the powerhouse itself, however, and the dark tunnel has made it impossible to determine how far from the facility the workers were found.

The 60-megawatt project had been operating before it shut down for a complete overhaul. The tunnel where the workers became trapped carries river water into the powerhouse and had been closed for the work.

The Nepal Electricity Authority estimates that 42 engineers and employees are trapped inside the powerhouse tunnel, with most believed to be inside the powerhouse. Sah, who was rescued first, said everyone inside was alive, but Ojha said the exact number of people still trapped remains unclear.

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They were found alive and rescued along the route leading to the powerhouse. The rescue team has yet to reach the powerhouse.