Two rescued from Nepal hydropower tunnel collapse; hundreds still trapped

Rescue operations are underway in Nepal following a major tunnel collapse at a hydropower construction site that has left hundreds of workers unaccounted for. Two survivors have been extracted alive, offering a glimmer of hope as search and rescue teams intensify their efforts in the disaster zone.

Authorities estimate that at least 900 people are trapped within an interconnected network of tunnels associated with six hydropower projects along the river. The exact location of the collapse and the identities of those rescued have not yet been fully disclosed by officials coordinating the response.

The incident highlights the hazardous conditions often present at major infrastructure projects in the region. Hydropower development has expanded significantly across Nepal and South Asia in recent years, with construction work frequently conducted in remote, challenging terrain.

Rescue teams face significant logistical challenges in accessing the tunnel system and locating trapped workers. The scale of the incident—potentially affecting nearly 900 people across multiple connected project sites—represents one of the more serious workplace disasters in Nepal's recent history. Authorities have not yet released an updated casualty count or timeline for when rescue operations may be completed.