Nepal Rescuers Pull Two Workers Alive From Hydropower Tunnel After Nine Days

Environment21 sourcesSep 4, 2026

UnscoredFactual rigor 49/100

The Story

Emergency crews in Nepal pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel on Friday, nine days after they were trapped by flash flooding.

The rescued men sustained injuries to their hands and legs and were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu for treatment. The flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border killed more than 1,200 people and left over 5,000 missing. The tunnel is part of the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project, where an estimated 115 people are still believed trapped.

The disaster was caused by an ice, rock, and mudslide that tore through the river valley. A search and rescue team, however, states there are no more survivors in Upper Trishuli 3A tunnel. On September 3, Australian tunnel safety and disaster expert Arnold Dix urged rescuers not to give up hope of finding survivors inside the tunnels. The rescue operation continues as emergency crews race to find more survivors.

What they agree on

Two workers were rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel in Nepal.
The workers had been trapped for nine days following flash floods.
The flash floods along the Nepal-Tibet border killed more than 1,200 people.
The rescued men sustained injuries to their hands and legs and were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu.

Where they split

Most sources report the rescue occurred nine days after the floods, but National Herald, The Tribune, and Daily Pioneer state it was 10 days after.
Some sources, like France 24, state that an estimated 115 people are still believed trapped in the tunnel, while The Kathmandu Post also reports a search and rescue team stating "no more survivors in Upper Trishuli 3A tunnel."
Some articles, such as France 24 and CBS News, focus on the immediate rescue, while The Kathmandu Post provides details on how the workers survived.