Miraculous Rescue After Nepal Tunnel Floods

Nepalese authorities have reported the rescue of a second person alive from a hydropower tunnel, nine days after floods trapped people inside. The announcement came from the office of Nepal’s energy minister on Friday, September 4, 2026. Earlier the same day, the energy minister said that one person had already been rescued alive and that another person was being brought out of the tunnel. The later update confirmed that the second person had also been rescued. The report provides no further information about the identities or conditions of the rescued individuals, the location of the hydropower project, the cause or extent of the flooding, or the details of the rescue operation. It also does not specify whether anyone else remains trapped or whether additional casualties have been recorded. ABC News describes the report as breaking news and says that its journalist is gathering and verifying more information. The outlet indicates that an update will be published as additional details become available. The rescue of both people alive is a significant development following the prolonged entrapment caused by the floods, but the situation remains unfolding and incomplete. The article therefore primarily communicates the official rescue announcement while cautioning readers that further confirmed information is expected.

The supplied content does not include the body of the Associated Press article. It consists almost entirely of AP News navigation menus, section labels, newsletter promotions, unrelated headlines, and other website material. The only article-specific information available is the headline: “2 trapped workers rescued from a tunnel 9 days after Nepal floods,” along with a related navigation headline stating that “2 trapped workers [were] pulled out alive from a hydropower tunnel 9 days after Nepal floods.” Based on that limited information, the article reports the successful rescue of two workers who survived for nine days while trapped inside a hydropower tunnel following flooding in Nepal. The rescue appears to be the central event, and the workers’ survival and extraction are presented as the main news development. The headline suggests that the flooding created dangerous conditions and disrupted or endangered workers at an infrastructure site, while the rescue operation ultimately resulted in both individuals being brought out alive. However, the provided text does not identify the workers, specify the tunnel’s exact location, explain the cause or scale of the flooding, describe the rescue teams or equipment involved, or provide information about the workers’ medical condition. It also does not include statements from officials, eyewitnesses, family members, or the workers themselves. Consequently, no fuller account of the disaster, response operation, or broader consequences can be reliably produced from the supplied material. The article’s apparent purpose is to inform readers about a dramatic rescue after a severe flood-related incident.

A tunnelling expert has described the complex rescue operation that reached two survivors trapped inside a blocked hydropower tunnel in Nepal after a massive flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border. Arnold Dix, who is advising Nepalese hydropower authorities, said the rescue was achieved through “layer upon layer of miracles” because the flood had buried the tunnel entrance, filled the passage with water and left rescuers uncertain about the survivors’ location. Dix and his team used old topographic maps, satellite images, helicopter footage, engineering methods and surface landmarks such as power poles to identify where the entrance had been. They then dug through mud and rocks, some reportedly larger than cars. Explosives were used to clear sections of the blockage, with the Nepalese army carefully managing the blasts to avoid harming people inside or destabilising the tunnel. Rescuers also had to drain water from the tunnel by digging trenches to the nearby river and using pumps. They eventually created a narrow, person-sized passage through the upper part of the debris, using the original tunnel roof for protection. In the early hours of Friday, they heard possible voices and received a faint response after calling to the trapped workers. Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan were subsequently pulled out alive. The operation is continuing because dozens of people are still believed to be trapped farther inside, near the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station. Rescuers have dug about 60m from the entrance but may need to clear another 150m. They face the risks of further flooding from either direction, water inside the tunnel and additional mud or rock reaching the station. Nevertheless, the successful rescue has renewed the team’s confidence. Dix said they are now targeting a higher area of the station, which he called a “Goldilocks zone” where survivors may have more space and better chances of staying alive.

Two workers were rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel in Nepal nine days after catastrophic floods devastated communities along the Trishuli River. The men, identified as mechanical foreman Sanjay Sah and mechanical supervisor Kabir Maharjan, were recovered from the Trishuli 3A construction site and flown to a hospital in Kathmandu. One was reported to be in critical condition. Sah told Nepal Army officials that he had been in the tunnel’s control room when a mountain collapsed above the power plant. He said he warned other workers to evacuate but was unable to escape himself. He stayed because he believed it was his responsibility to help save those inside. Rescuers heard voices in the tunnel Friday morning, helping them locate and extract the two survivors. One survivor reportedly said that additional people were still alive underground. The rescue raised hopes for further recoveries, although hundreds of workers remain missing. The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal said at least 557 workers were missing from the Trishuli 3A project, with approximately 115 believed to be trapped in the tunnel. Officials said they remained hopeful that more people could be rescued. The Aug. 26 disaster, likely triggered by a glacier collapse, caused extensive flooding and destruction in Nepal. The country’s disaster management agency reported at least 1,259 deaths and more than 5,000 missing people. In Tibet, China reported 31 deaths and 531 missing people. Across Nepal, roughly 900 workers were missing from 12 hydropower projects, and local authorities estimated that about 500 might be trapped in tunnels. The rescue effort continues amid a large-scale humanitarian disaster and uncertainty about how many survivors remain underground.

Two hydropower workers were rescued from Nepal’s Trishuli 3A tunnel nine days after catastrophic flash floods buried the structure and devastated communities. The rescue operation intensified after teams heard voices from deep inside the tunnel, raising hopes that additional survivors could be found, potentially including dozens of workers. Mechanical foreman Sanjay Shah and mechanical supervisor Kabir Maharjan were located after rescuers heard voices Friday morning. Both men were reportedly in stable condition and were flown to a hospital in Kathmandu. Shah briefly said “thank you” after being brought out, while Maharjan’s family expressed relief and gratitude after days of fear. The tunnel, located near the Trishuli River, is described as a complex network of rooms and chambers rather than a single passage. Officials and energy experts said many workers may still be trapped inside and could be attempting to find their own way out while conserving oxygen. The lack of breathable air was identified as the greatest immediate danger, making the rescue effort increasingly urgent. According to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal, at least 557 workers from the Trishuli 3A project remain missing, with approximately 115 believed to be inside the main tunnel. The disaster has affected hydropower projects across the country: local authorities estimate that about 900 workers are missing from 12 projects, with roughly 500 thought to be trapped in tunnels. Nepal’s disaster management agency reported that at least 1,287 people were killed and more than 5,000 remained missing. On the Tibetan side of the border, China reported 21 deaths and 541 missing people. The floods were likely caused by a glacier collapse and swept away villages and towns, creating one of the region’s worst recent disasters. Rescue officials continued searching for survivors as families waited for news.

Nine days after catastrophic floods struck Nepal's border region with China, rescuers pulled two hydropower workers alive from a tunnel at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station. The survivors were identified as mechanical foreman Sanjay Shah and mechanical supervisor Kabir Maharjan. Authorities said rescuers first heard voices inside the tunnel Friday morning. Maharjan, 45, was unable to move his hands or legs, while Shah, 30, suffered injuries that were not considered critical. Both men were flown to a hospital in Kathmandu after being treated at the scene by army doctors. The rescue offers hope as emergency teams continue searching for hundreds of workers believed to be trapped in hydropower tunnels along the Trishuli River. Officials estimate that as many as 900 workers remain missing across several project sites, including roughly 500 who may be trapped underground. At the Trishuli 3A site alone, the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal reported 557 missing workers, with approximately 115 believed to be inside the main tunnel. Rescue crews are using helicopters, heavy machinery and guidance from experts coordinating through a WhatsApp group. The floods have caused enormous destruction. Nepal's disaster authority estimates at least 387.5 billion Nepalese rupees, or $2.56 billion, in damage to property, homes and infrastructure. Early recovery work is expected to cost $52.6 million and include rebuilding roads, providing temporary shelters, and restoring water and electricity. Around 20,000 homes will need to be rebuilt, with at least 7,500 completely destroyed. The disaster began on August 26 when a glacier upstream on the Trishuli River collapsed, sending ice, rock and mud through communities near the Nepal-China border. Nepal has reported at least 1,259 deaths and more than 5,000 missing people, while China has reported 21 deaths and 541 missing on the Tibet side of the border.

Rescue teams in Nepal have pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel nine days after catastrophic flooding devastated parts of the country. Searchers heard men’s voices on Friday morning at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project in Rasuwa district, prompting the Nepal Army and other rescuers to launch an intensive operation. Images showed soldiers carrying one mud-covered worker from the tunnel with assistance from other troops. The rescued men were identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor. Both were flown to a hospital in Kathmandu, and one was reported to be in critical condition. One survivor reportedly told officials that additional people remained alive inside the tunnel, raising hopes that more rescues may be possible. Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet said the search operation was continuing. The Associated Press reported that approximately 115 people may still be trapped in the Trishuli 3A tunnel. Across Nepal, authorities estimate that about 900 workers are missing from 12 hydropower plants, including roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels. Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina thanked the rescuers and said officials were awaiting the recovery of more survivors. The floods, which began on Aug. 26, have killed at least 1,287 people and left more than 5,000 missing, according to the report. Scientists believe the disaster was likely triggered by a glacier collapse. On the Tibet side of the border, China reported 21 deaths and 541 missing people. Nepal’s disaster agency estimated that the flooding caused at least 387.5 billion Nepalese rupees—approximately $2.5 billion—in damage to infrastructure and property. The successful rescue offers a rare moment of hope amid a wider humanitarian disaster and an ongoing search for workers and other missing people.

Nepalese emergency crews rescued two hydropower workers who had been trapped inside a mud-clogged tunnel for nine days following severe flash flooding near the Nepal-Tibet border. The men were pulled out alive more than a week after the floods struck the region. Both workers suffered injuries to their hands and legs and were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu for medical treatment. Their rescue is one of the few positive developments amid a devastating disaster that has killed more than 1,200 people, according to the report. The flooding has created a major humanitarian and logistical crisis, with authorities also working to identify hundreds of victims, bury unidentified bodies, and respond to families waiting for information about missing relatives. The report presents the tunnel rescue as a significant emergency response effort, highlighting the dangers faced by workers trapped in flood-damaged infrastructure and the continuing challenges confronting Nepal after the disaster. The video was produced by Caitlin Brown for France 24 and was published on September 4, 2026, in the Asia-Pacific section.

Two workers were rescued alive from an underground tunnel at Nepal’s Trishuli 3A hydropower project nine days after deadly floods and mudslides devastated the Himalayan region. Rescue teams located the men after hearing voices inside the tunnel on Friday morning. Images showed one survivor being carried out covered in mud, assisted by soldiers. The Nepali Army said one of the rescued workers reported that additional people remained alive inside, prompting rescuers to continue searching. The survivors, identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor, were flown to a hospital in Kathmandu. One was in critical condition. Relatives expressed relief and gratitude, while officials said they were hopeful that more trapped workers could be recovered. Approximately 115 people are believed to be trapped at the Trishuli 3A facility alone. The disaster has affected hydropower projects across Nepal. Authorities estimate that about 900 workers are missing from 12 projects, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels. The floods, which occurred on August 26 and were likely caused by a glacier collapse, destroyed villages and buried areas under mud and debris. Nepal’s disaster management agency reported at least 1,287 deaths and more than 5,000 people missing. On the Tibet side of the border, Chinese authorities reported 31 deaths and 531 missing people. Nepal estimated that the flooding caused at least 387.5 billion Nepalese rupees, or approximately US$2.5 billion, in damage to infrastructure and property. Officials and rescue teams remain focused on reaching those still trapped.

Two workers were rescued alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel in Nepal on September 4, nine days after floods devastated the area. The floods, which were likely triggered by a glacier collapse on August 26, destroyed towns, swept away villages and left thousands of people dead or missing. The rescued men were identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor. Nepalese officials said both were in stable condition and were flown to a hospital in Kathmandu. Images broadcast by local television showed one of the men covered in mud and being carried from the tunnel by a rescuer. The operation remains under way, as emergency teams search for other workers who may still be trapped underground. According to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal, at least 557 workers are missing from the Trishuli 3A project, and approximately 115 are believed to be trapped in the main tunnel. Officials at the site said some people may still be alive, while Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina expressed hope that additional rescues would be possible. The disaster has affected both Nepal and neighboring Tibet in China. Nepal’s disaster management agency reported at least 1,259 deaths and more than 5,000 missing people. China reported 21 deaths and 541 missing on the Tibetan side of the border. Across Nepal, local authorities estimate that about 900 workers are missing from 12 hydropower projects, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels. The rescue of the two men provides a measure of hope amid a large-scale humanitarian disaster and continuing search-and-rescue efforts.

Rescuers in Nepal pulled two hydropower workers alive from the Trishuli 3A tunnel on Friday, nine days after floods and mudslides devastated communities along the Nepal-Tibet border. The disaster, believed to have been caused by a glacier collapse, swept away villages and severely damaged several hydropower projects. The rescued men were identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor. Emergency teams first heard voices from inside the tunnel Friday morning, confirming that survivors were still alive and helping rescuers locate them. Both men were reported to be in stable condition and were flown to a hospital in Kathmandu. Video footage showed one survivor covered in mud and being carried from the site by rescuers. Relatives expressed relief and gratitude after learning of the rescue. The operation continued because officials believed additional workers could still be trapped inside the tunnel. The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal said at least 557 workers were missing from the Trishuli 3A project, with approximately 115 believed to be inside the main tunnel. Nepal’s communication minister, Bikram Timilsina, said authorities remained hopeful that more people would be found alive. The floods have caused extensive casualties across the region. Nepal’s disaster management agency reported that at least 1,259 people had been killed and more than 5,000 remained missing. China reported 21 deaths and 541 missing people on the Tibet side of the border. Local authorities also estimated that roughly 900 workers were missing from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal, with about 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels. The rescue efforts therefore remain part of a much broader emergency response to one of the region’s most destructive recent disasters.

The article reports that two workers were rescued from a tunnel at Nepal’s Trishuli 3 Hydropower Project nine days after deadly flash floods struck the region. Nepal’s disaster management authority announced the rescue on Friday and identified the men as employees working at the hydropower facility. The workers had apparently remained inside the tunnel since the flooding, although the available article excerpt does not provide details about how they survived, how rescuers located them, or their medical condition after extraction. The rescue occurred in the aftermath of severe flooding that caused deaths and widespread disruption in the area. The report emphasizes the extraordinary delay between the disaster and the men’s recovery, highlighting the dangers faced by workers at the project and the challenges confronting emergency responders. The hydropower plant’s tunnel became an isolated and hazardous space after the flash floods swept through the region. The excerpt is brief and does not include a full account of the floods’ overall impact, including the number of fatalities, damage to infrastructure, or the status of other missing people. It also does not identify the rescued workers by name or describe the agencies and personnel involved in the operation beyond Nepal’s disaster management authority. Nevertheless, the rescue represents a rare hopeful development following a deadly natural disaster. The central focus is the survival and recovery of the two hydropower workers, as well as the continuing emergency response nine days after the floods.