'A rare moment of joy': Nepal tunnel rescues bring hope for more flood survivors
Source: BBC World ↗ (cross-verified by 2 outlets — full list below)
Two men were pulled alive from a flooded tunnel in the Trishuli River valley more than a week after the catastrophic flash floods that struck the Nepal‑Tibet border, a disaster that has claimed over 1,300 lives. The rescue, carried out by Nepal’s army and local volunteers, marked the first confirmed survivors among the hundreds of workers still believed to be trapped in a labyrinth of underground passages that run alongside the river. The men, who were part of a construction crew working on the tunnel network, were discovered after rescuers breached a collapsed section of the tunnel and found them clinging to a narrow ledge, their survival attributed to a combination of luck and the quick response of the search teams.
The rescue has injected a surge of optimism into families still awaiting news of missing relatives, many of whom have been left in limbo for days as mud, debris and unstable rock have hampered further excavation efforts. Officials estimate that dozens, perhaps even hundreds, remain confined within the tunnels, which were originally built for hydro‑electric projects and have become inundated with water and sediment after the deluge. The army’s ongoing operation is constrained by the treacherous terrain; heavy machinery cannot reach many sections, forcing rescuers to rely on manual digging, rope systems and portable pumps to clear passages and lower water levels.
The incident underscores the broader challenges Nepal faces in coping with climate‑induced disasters, highlighting both the vulnerability of remote infrastructure and the resilience of local communities. International aid agencies have pledged additional equipment and technical support, while the government has urged neighboring countries to share expertise in tunnel rescue operations. As the search continues, the two survivors’ story is being used to rally volunteers and sustain morale, offering a rare glimpse of hope amid a tragedy that has left the nation grappling with massive loss and ongoing humanitarian needs.
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