Two survivors rescued after nine days trapped in Nepal hydropower tunnel

Two people have been rescued alive from a tunnel at Nepal’s Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, nine days after a devastating natural disaster trapped hundreds of people underground and killed more than 1,200 others.

The survivors, identified as foreman-mechanic Sanjay Sah and site supervisor Kabir Mahardjan, were pulled from the tunnel on Friday, according to officials. They are believed to be the first survivors rescued from among those trapped at Nepal’s hydropower facilities.

Suresh Raut, a senior official with the Nepal Electricity Authority who was present at the rescue site, told the BBC that oxygen was being provided to one of the rescued workers as emergency teams continued to assess their condition.

Rescue operations remain underway, with teams searching for other people believed to be trapped inside tunnels connected to several hydropower projects.

The disaster began on August 26, when a glacier collapse triggered massive flooding along the river. The resulting floods trapped at least 900 people in tunnels associated with six hydropower projects.

Nepalese authorities say at least 1,252 people have died in the disaster, making it one of the country’s deadliest recent natural catastrophes.

The successful rescue of Sah and Mahardjan has raised hopes that additional survivors could still be found as emergency crews continue their search through the damaged tunnel network.

By Sabina Mammadli