Dozens of trapped hydropower tunnel workers in Nepal could still be alive, official says

Live updates

1. 36d ago

   Drone operators report challenges in Nepal tunnel rescue efforts

   Rescue teams in Nepal continue searching for missing hydropower workers following glacial flash floods, though drone operations inside tunnels are proving difficult. Emergency crews are currently piping oxygen into three hydroelectric projects where 121 workers are feared trapped. Search efforts also persist for 900 other missing workers. While drones successfully located people in open areas, drone pilot Manish Maharjan reports that the lack of hollow or empty space inside the tunnels complicates the search for survivors. Families of the missing have expressed anger over the pace of the operations.

   Why it matters

   The crisis began after catastrophic glacial flash floods struck Nepal. Previous recoveries were made from the Trishuli project and Nuwakot. The scale of the disaster involves over a thousand missing persons across multiple infrastructure sites.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Drone pilot Manish Maharjan reports that searching inside hydropower tunnels is a challenge due to a lack of hollow or empty space.

   What to watch next

   • Reports on whether oxygen piping leads to the discovery of survivors
   • Updates on the number of missing workers recovered from the three hydroelectric projects
   Sources used for this update (9)

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   7. jen.jiji.com — Veneto, Coldiretti-Philip Morris Italia: 55.8 million euros in value and over 9,100 jobs
   8. www.wfmz.com — Drones helped find people after Nepal floods but the search inside hydropower tunnels is a challenge
   9. jen.jiji.com — Pirozzi (IAI): 'Von der Leyen innovative on citizens, but not very geopolitical'
   confidence 80%
2. 43d ago

   Rescuers pipe oxygen into Nepal tunnels as 121 workers feared trapped

   Rescue operations enter their 15th day following catastrophic glacial flash floods in Nepal. Emergency teams are now piping oxygen into the tunnels of three hydroelectric projects where 121 workers are feared trapped. Search efforts continue for an additional 900 missing hydropower workers. While some survivors were previously recovered from Nuwakot and the Trishuli project, families of the missing are expressing anger over the pace of the rescue operations as the crisis persists.

   Why it matters

   A glacial flash flood devastated riverside villages and infrastructure across Nepal. The disaster has caused over 1200 deaths and left thousands of people missing.

   What is confirmed

   • Wednesday marks the 15th day since catastrophic floods hit Nepal.
   • Rescue operations are ongoing to evacuate workers trapped in the tunnels of three hydroelectric projects.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Rescuers are searching for 900 missing hydropower workers.
   • Families of the missing are becoming angry with the speed of rescue efforts.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of survivors among the 121 workers receiving oxygen
   • Official updates on the number of missing hydropower workers recovered
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. jen.jiji.com — Juventus, Locatelli's anxiety: injury against Milan, risk of surgery
   2. www.thestar.com.my — Families of those still missing in Nepal’s hydropower tunnels want rescuers to work faster
   3. news24online.com — Nepal Floods: 15 days of despair; Oxygen piped in as 121 feared trapped in tunnels; Rescuers search for 900 missing hydropower workers
   4. jen.jiji.com — School, Cirfood: for 94% of families, the canteen is much more than a refreshment break
   5. jen.jiji.com — Petrol and diesel prices, increases do not stop. Unc: "Full diesel tank costs 40 cents more in one day"
   confidence 90%
3. 45d ago

   Nepal rescues two more survivors from flash flood tunnels

   Rescuers found a Nepali woman in Nuwakot and a Chinese man at the Trishuli hydropower project alive 10 days after catastrophic flooding hit Nepal. These latest rescues follow the recovery of Sanjay Sah, Kabir Maharjan, and another Chinese national. Despite these successes, the disaster remains severe with over 1200 dead and thousands missing. Nepal observed a national day of mourning on the 13th day of the crisis, marking the end of the Hindu mourning period. Search operations continue for hundreds of workers still trapped in tunnel systems.

   Why it matters

   Flooding impacted 12 hydropower projects across the Himalayan region. Local authorities believe roughly 500 workers remain trapped in tunnels among 900 total missing workers.

   What is confirmed

   • Rescuers found a Chinese man at the Trishuli hydropower project and a Nepali woman in Nuwakot alive 10 days into the operation.
   • Nepal observed a national day of mourning on the 13th day since the disaster.
   • Flags flew at half mast to mark the final day of the Hindu mourning period.

   Still unconfirmed

   • About 900 workers are missing across 12 hydropower projects.
   • Roughly 500 workers are believed to be trapped in tunnels.
   • The death toll from the disaster exceeds 1200.

   What to watch next

   • Reports of additional survivors recovered from the 12 hydropower projects
   • Official updates on the number of missing persons among the 500 trapped workers
   Sources used for this update (5)

   1. www.theguardian.com — Rescuers in Nepal find two more people alive after flash flood disaster
   2. www.irishtimes.com — Delhi’s world-class metro was built for a bargain. Ireland take note
   3. jen.jiji.com — US Open, Alcaraz dispatches Paul in three sets and advances to the quarterfinals
   4. jen.jiji.com — Indonesia, Anak Krakatau volcano erupts: four airports closed, disruptions for over 270,000 passengers
   5. sg.news.yahoo.com — Nepal observes national day of mourning for victims of flash flood disaster
   confidence 90%
4. 47d ago

   Two workers rescued from Nepal hydropower tunnel nine days after floods

   Rescuers pulled Sanjay Sah, Kabir Maharjan, and a Chinese man alive from hydropower tunnels on Friday, nine days after catastrophic flooding hit the Himalayan region. While these rescues provide a rare success, the scale of the disaster remains immense. Local authorities report about 900 workers are missing across 12 hydropower projects, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels. Search efforts continue as the region deals with thousands of missing persons and a death toll exceeding 1200.

   Why it matters

   Glacial flooding on the Nepal-Tibet border caused widespread destruction and trapped personnel in underground construction sites. The rescue of survivors from the Trishuli 3A tunnel suggests some workers may have found shelter in dry pockets. Prime Minister Balendra Shah is balancing search operations with national rehabilitation efforts.

   What is confirmed

   • Two workers were rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel nine days after devastating floods.
   • Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan were pulled alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel.
   • Local authorities state about 900 workers are missing from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal.
   • Roughly 500 workers are believed to be trapped in tunnels.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A Chinese man was rescued from a hydropower tunnel.
   • A 60-year-old woman was found alive in a four-story building.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of additional survivors from the 500 people believed to be trapped in tunnels
   • Updates on the total missing persons count across the 12 hydropower projects
   Sources used for this update (6)

   1. www.nbcnews.com — Two trapped workers are pulled alive from Nepal tunnel more than a week after deadly floods
   2. www.huffpost.com — 2 Trapped Workers Rescued From Hydropower Tunnel 9 Days After Nepal Floods
   3. www.ibtimes.co.uk — 'When Hope Is Alive': Nepal Army Shares Dramatic Tunnel Rescue After Himalayan Floods
   4. www.globalbankingandfinance.com — How engineers in a WhatsApp group are guiding Nepal's tunnel rescue efforts
   5. www.cnn.com — Two more people rescued in Nepal 10 days after devastating floods
   6. kathmandupost.com — Ten days in darkness, then two men walked back into the light
   confidence 95%
5. 48d ago

   Rescuers seek 46 trapped hydropower workers in Nepal flood zone

   Authorities believe approximately 46 workers trapped in a hydropower plant tunnel on the Nepal-Tibet border may still be alive one week after catastrophic glacial flooding. Rescuers suggest the group could be sheltered in dry, room-like structures with access to air, water, and food. This search continues as the overall death toll from the Himalayan disaster exceeds 1200 people, with more than 4200 still missing. Prime Minister Balendra Shah stated the government is prioritizing rehabilitation and rebuilding while maintaining search efforts for survivors.

   Why it matters

   A glacier collapse in the Himalayas triggered massive flash floods across Nepal. The disaster has caused widespread devastation, including the loss of thousands of people and the destruction of critical infrastructure.

   What is confirmed

   • At least 1204 people died following a glacier collapse in the Himalayas.
   • More than 4200 people remain missing after the floods.
   • Prime Minister Balendra Shah is focusing government efforts on rehabilitation and rebuilding.

   Still unconfirmed

   • About 46 people are trapped in a room-like structure inside a hydropower plant tunnel on the Nepal-Tibet border.
   • Trapped workers may have survived in dry spaces with food, water, and air.
   • At least 38 of the missing people are Australians.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of survivors or casualties from the hydropower tunnel
   • Official response from China, the US, and India regarding Nepal's request for climate compensation
   Sources used for this update (8)

   1. Bloomberg.com — Nepal Seeks Climate Compensation From China, US and India
   2. The New York Times — The ‘Miracle House’ That Survived Nepal’s Floods
   3. The Guardian — Dozens of trapped hydropower tunnel workers in Nepal could still be alive, official says
   4. AP News — Trading food for medicine and crossing the river by zip line are part of life in Nepal flood zone
   5. Al Jazeera — Photos: Symbolic funerals held in Nepal for missing flood victims
   6. www.irishexaminer.com — Nepal floods: 46 workers may be alive after a week trapped inside hydropower tunnel
   7. www.theguardian.com — Dozens of trapped hydropower tunnel workers in Nepal could still be alive, official says
   8. www.yarrawongachronicle.com.au — Nepal rescue hopes dim as death toll passes 1200
   confidence 80%