World · Malaysia Bureau
Nepal mobilises rescue effort as 100+ workers trapped in hydropower tunnel
More than 100 workers remain trapped in a hydropower tunnel in Nepal as authorities launch a major rescue operation. India has been enlisted to provide specialized tunnel rescue expertise to assist with the emergency response.
LSN Malaysia ·
Nepali authorities are coordinating an intensive search and rescue operation following the entrapment of over 100 workers in a hydropower tunnel project. The incident has prompted urgent calls for international assistance as rescue teams work against the clock to extract those trapped underground.
In response to Nepal's appeal for help, India is mobilizing a specialized tunnel rescue team to support local emergency services. The deployment represents a rapid cross-border coordination effort between the two neighbouring nations to address the crisis.
Details regarding the cause of the entrapment and the condition of the trapped workers remain under investigation. Rescue teams are assessing access points and developing extraction strategies to safely remove all personnel from the tunnel.
The incident underscores safety concerns in large infrastructure projects across the region. Hydropower tunnel construction carries inherent risks, with workers exposed to hazards including structural collapse, flooding, and confined space emergencies. Authorities are likely to conduct a comprehensive safety review once the immediate rescue operation concludes.