Nepal army races to rescue 100 trapped in hydropower tunnel after flash floods

Helicopter rescue teams were working on Friday to rescue around 100 people trapped inside a tunnel at a hydropower project in Nepal swamped by a devastating flood two days earlier.

“Our focus is in search and rescue of people … some people are trapped in the tunnel of Trishuli 3A hydropower project,” Nepal Army spokesman Raja Ram Basnet said.

“Two helicopters have been dispatched but it is challenging because it is tough to even locate the entry points of the tunnel. Relief efforts are also under way to provide the rescued people with what they need,” he added.

The prime minister’s office said in a statement that the army had been working in tough conditions.

“A Nepali Army team has successfully rescued 350 workers and locals who were trapped in the tunnel a while ago facing extremely risky and challenging conditions amid adverse weather and rapid floodwaters,” the statement read.

“The army is still working to safely evacuate more than 100 people trapped in the same tunnel.”