disasterSaturday, August 29, 20267 sources

Nepal Rescues Over 100 Trapped in Hydropower Tunnel with China and India's Help

On August 29, 2026, Nepal's army, supported by Chinese and Indian experts, began drilling into a hydropower tunnel to rescue over 100 workers trapped after floods. The rescue effort, initiated three days after the floods, faced challenges as teams pulled survivors from mud-caked tunnels.

Over 100 workers were trapped in hydropower tunnels in Nepal, with reports varying between 100 and 900 individuals. The Nepal Army started drilling into the tunnel on August 26, three days after devastating floods struck the site, according to France24 and Tuo-i-tre. Indian tunnel rescue experts joined the operation, while China provided technical assistance. Footage showed teams extracting survivors from the tunnels, but hopes dimmed as time passed.

Where Sources Diverge

Tuo-i-tre and France24 mention the rescue effort started three days after floods, while other sources do not specify the cause of the entrapment.

tuo-i-tre

Nepal is racing against time to rescue over 100 people trapped inside hydropower tunnels.

france24

Nepali army rescue teams were using drilling equipment on Saturday seeking to rescue more than 100 people trapped inside a hydropower tunnel, three days after devastating floods struck the site.

The number of trapped individuals varies between 100 and 900, depending on the source.

tuo-i-tre

Over 100 people trapped inside hydropower tunnels.

nyt

Footage released by the Nepal Army showed teams pulling people out of the tunnels caked in mud. But each passing day dims hopes for those trapped inside.

Timelines

Sources

IndependentNewsAug 30, 04:43 AM
Urgent search for survivors trapped in hydropower tunnels - News.com.au

Urgent search for survivors trapped in hydropower tunnels  News.com.au

IndependentNew York TimesAug 29, 11:35 PM
Rescuers in Nepal Bore Through Mud and Tunnels to Reach 900 Missing Workers

Footage released by the Nepal Army showed teams pulling people out of the tunnels caked in mud. But each passing day dims hopes for those trapped inside.

IndependentTuổi TrẻAug 29, 07:41 PM
100 people trapped in hydropower tunnel in Nepal, China and India send experts for assistance

On August 29, Nepal is racing against time to rescue over 100 people trapped inside hydropower tunnels.

WirePress Trust of IndiaAug 29, 06:05 PM
Indian tunnel rescue experts join effort to reach trapped workers in Nepal’s hydropower projects - Press Trust of India

Indian tunnel rescue experts join effort to reach trapped workers in Nepal’s hydropower projects Press Trust of India

PublicFrance 24Aug 29, 12:50 PM
Nepal army races to rescue more than 100 trapped in hydropower tunnel after floods

Nepali army rescue teams were using drilling equipment on Saturday seeking to rescue more than 100 people trapped inside a hydropower tunnel, three days after devastating floods struck the site.

IndependentThe Malay MailAug 29, 12:44 PM
Nepali army starts drilling into hydropower tunnel to reach more than 100 trapped workers - Malay Mail

Nepali army starts drilling into hydropower tunnel to reach more than 100 trapped workers Malay Mail