Nepal rescuers focus on 900 hydropower workers, 121 could be trapped in tunnels, officials say
Rescue operations in Nepal are focused on three hydropower project tunnels where officials believe 121 workers remain trapped. At least 1,380 people died following devastating floods caused by a glacier collapse. While rescuers have successfully pulled several survivors from the tunnels, including a Chinese national and two men who survived nine days underground, hundreds of workers remain unaccounted for. Families of the missing are demanding faster operations as hope turns to anger over perceived delays in the search efforts.
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- ✓ At least 1,380 people died in the floods.
- ✓ Rescuers are focusing on three hydropower project tunnels where 121 workers could be trapped.
- ✓ A Chinese national was rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel 10 days after the floods.
- ✓ Two men were rescued alive after spending nine days in a flood tunnel.
What changed
Rescuers recovered a Chinese national and two other survivors from tunnels up to 10 days after the floods.
Live updates
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Nepal Rescuers Search for 121 Workers Trapped in Hydropower Tunnels
Rescue operations in Nepal are focused on three hydropower project tunnels where officials believe 121 workers remain trapped. At least 1,380 people died following devastating floods caused by a glacier collapse. While rescuers have successfully pulled several survivors from the tunnels, including a Chinese national and two men who survived nine days underground, hundreds of workers remain unaccounted for. Families of the missing are demanding faster operations as hope turns to anger over perceived delays in the search efforts.
Why it matters
The disaster was triggered by a glacial flood that impacted the Nepal-Tibet border region. The scale of the tunnel collapses has created what officials describe as an unprecedented rescue challenge. Nepal has declared a national mourning day to honor the victims.
What is confirmed
- At least 1,380 people died in the floods.
- Rescuers are focusing on three hydropower project tunnels where 121 workers could be trapped.
- A Chinese national was rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel 10 days after the floods.
- Two men were rescued alive after spending nine days in a flood tunnel.
- The floods were caused by a glacier collapse.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the status of the remaining 121 trapped workers
- Official reports on the total number of missing persons across the region
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (18)
- NPR — A week after the deadly floods in Nepal, rescuers work to find survivors
- AP News — One trapped worker rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal, official says
- The Guardian — A tunnel rescue and a flooded wedding: photos of the day – Friday
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — 2 people rescued alive from tunnel after deadly Nepal-Tibet flash flood
- CNN — Nepal-China floods latest: Rescuers in Nepal pull Chinese national alive from tunnel 10 days after floods
- AP News — Rescuers in Nepal pull a Chinese national alive from a hydropower tunnel 10 days after floods
- theguardian.com — Rescuers in Nepal find two more people alive after flood disaster
- CNN — Two survivors miraculously rescued 10 days after devastating flash floods in Nepal
- The New York Times — The Family Had Held Her Funeral, but She Was Clinging to Life
- NBC News — Nepal flood survivor’s family relieved at dramatic rescue after 10 days trapped
- Reuters — Nepal marks national mourning day after deadly flood
- Yahoo — Nepal tunnel rescues face 'unprecedented' challenge
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