Two workers rescued from Nepal tunnel nine days after deadly floods

Two Nepali workers emerged alive from a hydropower plant tunnel nine days after massive floods struck northern Nepal, prompting rescuers to continue searching for possible survivors.

The workers were rescued on the morning of Sept. 4 from the Trishuli 3A hydropower plant in Bagmati province. Sanjay Saha, the plant’s mechanical foreman, came out first. Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor, followed with help from rescuers.

Nepal’s army and police had been digging through debris after hearing voices inside the tunnel and communicating with those trapped. Lawmaker and engineer Shri Ram Neupane, who took part in the operation, recalled the exchange: “When the rescue team announced, ‘Do not be alarmed. We have come to rescue you,’ a voice from inside replied, ‘Understood.’”

Rescuers received information that other people could still be inside. The plant has oxygen pipes, raising the possibility that additional survivors remain in the tunnel. Nepal’s government estimates that several hundred people are trapped across six hydropower plants, and officials believe about 90 may still be alive in two tunnels.

Nine South Korean workers who were working at the Upper Trishuli-1 plant when the disaster struck have also lost contact with authorities. The search for them continues.

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When the rescue team announced, ‘Do not be alarmed. We have come to rescue you,’ a voice from inside replied, ‘Understood.’