Nepalese rescuers are attempting to reach dozens of workers believed trapped in tunnels after a devastating flash flood on August 26. Nine days after the disaster, two workers were pulled alive from one tunnel on Friday, and their rescue has raised hopes that others may still be alive. There are 1,311 confirmed dead and 5,330 missing in Nepal and Tibet, with foreign citizens believed to be among those missing. Rescue efforts have been hindered by mud, rocks, and washed-away machinery, but engineers have begun pumping air into the tunnels to aid rescuers.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event.
- Published
Rescuers in Nepal are stepping up efforts to find scores of workers believed to be trapped in tunnels, nine days after the devastating flash floods which hit the area on the border with Tibet in China.
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which → publish → China
Hopes have risen after two people were pulled out alive on Friday.
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people → rise → Friday
The body of a third person was also found in one of the tunnels used to supply hydropower stations.
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body → find → stations
The massive flash flood, believed to have been triggered by a glacial collapse, swept through a Himalayan valley last Wednesday, wiping out entire villages.
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flood → believe → villages
Hundreds of foreign citizens are believed to be among those missing, from at least 34 countries.
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Hundreds → believe → countries
China has released information through state media outlets showing the devastation around the border, but has given few details about the victims or the impact on local villagers.
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China → release → villagers
In Nepal, however, rescue operations are taking place at seven hydropower tunnels in which more than 150 people are feared trapped - as well as in 19 other areas.
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people → take → areas
In the early hours of Friday morning, rescuers heard what they thought could be voices at the Trishuli 3A hydropower site.
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they → hear → site
According to local reports, they called out "don't worry, we're here to rescue you" - and heard back a faint "okay".
Crews clambered in to find Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan - both had injuries on their hands and legs, "possibly" from crawling through the tunnel.
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both → accord → tunnel
Both were airlifted to the Army Hospital in the capital, Kathmandu.
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Both → airlift → capital
Maharjan, who was rescued second, is in a critical condition, the prime minister's office said.
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office → rescue → condition
Shah was also undergoing medical tests.
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Shah → undergo → tests
The body of a third person was found in the same tunnel later.
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body → find → tunnel
A local official said it was swollen and could not be immediately identified.
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it → say → ?
Officials believe another 39 people are in the Trishuli 3A tunnel, although it is not clear if all are alive.
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all → believe → tunnel
Col Jhabindra Reshmi said that his teams had rescued more than 400 Nepali nationals and 270 foreign citizens following the flash flooding on 26 August.
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teams → say → August
He has said mud and rocks have made entering tunnels difficult and rescuers were having to dig access holes to get underground.
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rescuers → say → holes
Engineers have been pumping air into the tunnels.
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Engineers → pump → tunnels
Last week's floodwaters washed away a lot of heavy machinery, making it harder for rescuers to unblock tunnels, says a representative for Nepalese power companies.
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representative → wash → companies
Uttam Bhlon Lama, vice president at Independent Power Producers of Nepal, told the BBC's Newsday programme that the rescue of the two men on Friday would "motivate the rescuers to do more".
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rescue → tell → more
"The flood level is still very high," Lama added.
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Lama → add → ?
Nepalese authorities have warned that rainfall may cause additional flooding in the region.
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rainfall → warn → region
At least 1,287 people are known to have died in Nepal, with 5,083 still missing.
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5,083 → know → Nepal
On the Tibetan side, the death toll reported by Chinese media on Friday was 31, with 531 people unaccounted for.
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people → report → Friday
Emergency teams in Tibet appear to be focusing on helping the living rather than holding out hope for more survivors.
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teams → appear → survivors
Scientists are still studying the exact cause, but it is believed to have been caused by a glacial collapse and climate change may have been a factor.
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change → study → collapse
Moments after the seismic event, which was initially thought to have been an earthquake, a massive wall of water and debris crashed downstream, taking buildings, roads and vehicles with it.
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wall → think → it
Experts from the Asian Mountain Academic Alliance, the Stimson Centre and China's Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment said there was evidence of growing instability around the glacier in the days before the collapse and better early-warning systems could have saved lives.
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systems → say → lives
