Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Two Nepal Workers Rescued From Buried Tunnel After Nine Days
A huge flood sent mud, rocks, and water into a hydropower tunnel in Nepal.
Two workers, Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan, became trapped inside.
Rescuers found them alive after nine days.
They had to first find the tunnel entrance because it was buried under debris.
Then they removed large rocks, pumped out water, and made a small passageway.
Rescuers eventually heard faint voices from inside.
The men may have survived because they found air, water, and some supplies.
Both were flown to hospitals in Kathmandu, while teams continued looking for other missing workers.
Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan were rescued alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel after nine days underground.
Rescuers located the men after using maps, satellite imagery, excavators, pumps, drainage trenches, controlled explosions, and a narrow passage.
Reports placed the workers about 170 meters inside the tunnel, while another account described them as roughly 60 meters from the entrance.
Experts believe an air pocket, breathable oxygen, trapped water, and limited food or supplies may have helped them survive.
Searches continue for other workers believed trapped at Trishuli 3A and at hydropower projects across Nepal.
- Who
- Sanjay Sah, also identified in one report as Sanjay Shah, and Kabir Maharjan were rescued; many other workers remain missing or may be trapped.
- What
- Two hydropower workers were rescued alive from a flooded and debris-filled tunnel after nine days.
- When
- They were rescued on September 4, nine days after floods struck on August 26.
- Where
- The rescue occurred at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project in Nepal's Rasuwa district.
- Why
- The workers became trapped after flash floods and a glacial or mountain collapse sent mud, boulders, water, and debris into the tunnel.
Rescue Evidence
Unconfirmed Explanations
How far inside were the workers?
Rescue Evidence
Nepal Army officials and several reports placed the men about 170 meters inside the tunnel.
Unconfirmed Explanations
Another report said they were found roughly 60 meters from the tunnel entrance, creating a discrepancy in the reported distance.
How did they survive?
Rescue Evidence
Reports said the men had access to water and possibly food or other supplies, and Sah said chanting mantras helped him endure the ordeal.
Unconfirmed Explanations
Experts, including Arnold Dix, proposed that a stable air pocket and breathable oxygen helped protect the men, but the precise conditions inside the tunnel were not fully confirmed.
How many others may be trapped?
Rescue Evidence
Authorities and rescue groups reported that hundreds of workers could still be trapped across multiple hydropower projects.
Unconfirmed Explanations
The estimates differ considerably, ranging from at least 35 additional workers at the specific tunnel to about 115 there and roughly 500 trapped across tunnels.
- Rescued workers
- Sanjay Sah or Sanjay Shah, 30, and Kabir Maharjan, 45
- Project
- Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project in Nepal
- Time underground
- Nine days
- Reported location
- About 170 meters inside the tunnel; another report said approximately 60 meters from the entrance
- Medical condition
- Sah was reported stable and not critically injured; Maharjan was reported to be in intensive care and unable to move his hands or legs
- Rescue methods
- Teams used maps, satellite and helicopter imagery, excavators, pumps, drainage trenches, controlled explosions, listening devices, and a person-sized passage
- Broader search
- Reports said about 900 workers were missing across affected hydropower projects, with roughly 500 believed trapped in tunnels; estimates for Trishuli 3A ranged from at least 35 to about 115
- Disaster toll
- Reports cited at least 1,280 to 1,287 deaths and more than 5,500 missing people
