Two Workers Rescued Alive After 72 Hours in Trishuli 3A Tunnel

KATHMANDU- Two workers, Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan, were rescued alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel after being trapped for more than 72 hours. Their survival has brought a moment of hope in a disaster where dozens of people are still unaccounted for.

Survival Against All Odds

Rescue teams said the two men were discovered deep inside the tunnel in a small air pocket that had formed as water levels shifted. They were extremely weak, dehydrated, and disoriented, but able to walk with support.
Emergency responders used ropes, oxygen cylinders, protective gear, and controlled tunnel entry to safely bring them out.

Witnesses described the moment as emotional, with rescuers cheering and families crying as the men emerged from the tunnel entrance.

How the Disaster Unfolded

The incident began when sudden water surges flooded the tunnel, trapping workers inside with no light and limited oxygen. Heavy rainfall and unstable terrain around the hydropower project made conditions even more dangerous.

Authorities say the flooding happened so quickly that many workers had no time to escape. The tunnel’s narrow passages and debris have slowed rescue operations.

Rescue Efforts Continue

Search teams are working around the clock using:

• Tunnel inspection teams — entering deeper sections where workers may still be trapped
• Riverbank search units — scanning areas where water may have carried debris or bodies
• Heavy machinery — clearing blocked sections
• Aerial reconnaissance — monitoring water flow and landslide risks

Officials warn that conditions remain extremely risky due to unstable ground, strong currents, and debris inside the tunnel.

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Families Waiting for Answers

Dozens of families have gathered near the project site, waiting anxiously for updates. Many have not heard from their loved ones since the flooding began.
Authorities have not released an exact number of missing workers, but local officials say the figure is significant and may rise as teams reach deeper sections.

 

A Moment of Hope, but a Long Road Ahead

The rescue of Sah and Maharjan has encouraged search teams, showing that pockets of air still exist inside the tunnel. However, officials emphasize that the situation remains critical, and the next 24–48 hours will be crucial for locating more survivors.