In a story that defies all odds, rescue teams in Nepal have pulled two men alive from a flooded hydropower tunnel — a full nine days after catastrophic floods swept through the region.
The devastating disaster began on Wednesday, August 26, when a massive rock and ice avalanche reportedly triggered a glacier collapse near the Nepal-China border. The resulting flash floods tore through communities, leaving a trail of destruction that has already claimed more than 1,000 lives, with thousands more still missing. At the time of writing, approximately 4,350 tourists remain unaccounted for, according to Nepali officials.
A Desperate Race Against Time
Authorities have been prioritizing the rescue of workers trapped inside hydropower project tunnels — and their efforts have finally paid off in the most miraculous way. According to the BBC, two men — identified as Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan — were pulled alive from the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project. Both men sustained injuries to their hands and legs and were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital.
The rescue came after an agonizing nine‑day wait. Rescuers reportedly heard sounds coming from deep inside the tunnel — faint signs of life that spurred them to push forward despite the dangerous conditions.
A Tragic Discovery
But the rescue operation also brought heartbreaking news. After the two men were saved, the body of a third person was found inside the tunnel. Tragically, that individual had already passed away.
Suresh Raut, a deputy manager at the Nepal Electricity Authority, said: “The body found inside the tunnel is swollen and could not be identified. It appears that the person died after being caught in floodwater while trying to flee from the tunnel.”
International Rescue Efforts
The disaster has drawn an international response. According to the Daily Mail, a Chinese rescue team entered approximately 300 meters into the tunnel in the Upper Trishuli‑1 area, recovering one body. Meanwhile, Indian rescuers working at the Chilime Hydro tunnel encountered a blockage about 100 meters in. Farther inside, they found the tunnel buried with mud and soil — and recovered two more bodies.
Authorities are now struggling to identify the deceased, with DNA samples being taken from bodies found “in a state of decomposition and no longer identifiable.”
A Glimmer of Hope Amid the Tragedy
While the death toll continues to mount, the rescue of Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan offers a rare glimmer of hope. Their survival — against all odds — is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the dedication of the rescue teams who refused to give up.
As search and recovery efforts continue, the world watches and waits for more miracles. But for two families, the nightmare is finally over.
