Two survivors are rescued alive after being trapped in a tunnel in Nepal for 9 days

Rescue teams managed to pull two workers alive from a tunnel in Nepal on Friday, September 4, 2026, nine days after a wave of ice, rock and mud devastated the Trishuli River valley. The operation brought a glimmer of hope amid a tragedy that left hundreds dead and thousands missing.

Details of the operation and the first hope at the plant

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The two survivors, Kabir Maharjan and Sanjay Sah, were found in the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli 3A Power Plant, the first to be rescued from the six affected hydroelectric installations. Both were quickly taken to an Army hospital located in the capital, Kathmandu, to receive urgent medical attention.

Videos released by Nepalese authorities recorded the moment of rescue, with applause and emotion. The images show Kabir Maharjan being lifted from a hole, while Sanjay Sah, still covered in mud, was carried out on the back of a rescuer, receiving oxygen and having his vital signs checked.

The scale of devastation in the Himalayan region

The catastrophe that hit the region began on August 26, 2026, when the collapse of a glacier in the upper reaches of the Trishuli River unleashed a destructive flow of ice, rock and mud. This event, known as GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood), is a growing threat in the Himalayan mountains, impacting vital communities and infrastructure.

The tragedy figures are alarming, with the disaster affecting villages and cities close to the border with Tibet, in China. More than 900 people were estimated to have been trapped in hydropower project tunnels along the waterway.

The survivors’ story and the fight for life underground

Sanjay Sah, who worked as a mechanical foreman, described the moments of desperation and resilience inside the tunnel. He reported remaining in a control room to help others escape, after warning his colleagues of approaching disaster.

Understand the case: Teams rush to rescue 900 workers trapped in tunnels after avalanche in Nepal

During the nine days of isolation, Sah sought comfort and strength by reciting mantras. He told rescuers that he had been in contact with three or four other people in the tunnel, raising the possibility that other individuals may still be alive in deeper sections of the structure.

Impact of the tragedy and the challenge of searching for the missing

The disaster caused widespread destruction in Nepal, with homes, streets and schools leveled. Authorities responsible for disaster management reported that:

• At least 1,287 people diedin Nepal.
• More than 5,080 people remain missingin the country.
• In the Tibet region of China, the estimated death toll is 21, with 541 people still listed as missing.

Despite tireless efforts, the possibility of finding more survivors diminishes drastically as time passes, making each rescue, like that of Kabir Maharjan and Sanjay Sah, a moment of rare hope and a testament to the human capacity to overcome extreme conditions.