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Nepal rescuers race to reach trapped in tunnels
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Nepal rescuers race to reach 100 trapped in a hydropower tunnel after flash floods. The race is against time as oxygen and supplies run low.
Background
Flash floods near the Tibet border caused catastrophic destruction, trapping workers in tunnels of hydropower projects. The Trishuli 3A project is a key focus, with helicopters dispatched but entry points hard to locate. Rescue efforts are complicated by weather and rising river waters.
How it unfolded
- Fri, 28 Aug 2026Flash floods hit, trapping workers in tunnels; Nepal Army dispatches helicopters to Trishuli 3A project.
- Sat, 29 Aug 2026Rescuers break through to a tunnel, begin pumping air and sending a camera inside.
- Sun, 30 Aug 2026Rescue work resumes after rain and rising waters hampered efforts; focus on Trishuli 3A and 3B.
- Mon, 31 Aug 2026Death toll surpasses 950; hundreds still missing, with rescue efforts continuing with Chinese and Indian help.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet says focus is on search and rescue, but it's tough to locate tunnel entry points.
- Expert
- Geoscientist Jakob Steiner says tunnels are large enough for trucks and workers may have taken refuge, but it's a race for time as people need food and water.
Still unverified
Reports of 85 Americans missing are unconfirmed and based on State Department statements; exact numbers of trapped vary.