Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Controlled Blast Intensifies Rescue Effort for Trapped Nepal Workers
A huge flood and landslides blocked tunnels at a hydropower project in Nepal.
Many workers may be trapped underground.
Rescue teams used a small, carefully controlled explosion to break the blockage.
They then used large digging machines and drills to clear the way.
The teams also pumped fresh air into the tunnels.
Workers from Nepal, India, China, and South Korea are helping with the rescue.
More than 900 people have died in the wider disaster.
More than 4,200 people are still missing across Nepal and Tibet.
Rescue teams used a controlled low-yield blast to break through a blockage at the Upper Trishuli-3A hydropower project.
The blockage consisted of reinforced concrete slabs, boulders, mud, sludge, and water near the tunnel entrance.
Excavators and pneumatic drills dug nearly 10 metres after the blast, while ventilation systems pumped fresh air underground.
The floods and landslides that began on August 26 left more than 900 people dead and over 4,200 missing across Nepal and Tibet.
Officials said 933 hydropower personnel were among the missing, with many feared trapped at the Trishuli-3A and 3B sites.
- Who
- Nepal Army disaster-management teams, assisted by technical teams from India, China, and South Korea, are searching for missing hydropower workers.
- What
- Rescuers carried out a controlled blast and began drilling and clearing a blockage sealing underground tunnels.
- When
- The blast was conducted at around 2:00 a.m. local time on Monday; the floods and landslides began on August 26.
- Where
- At the Upper Trishuli-3A hydropower project in Nepal’s Rasuwa-Nuwakot region, including the Trishuli-3A and 3B sites.
- Why
- The operation aims to reach workers missing or feared trapped after catastrophic floods and landslides blocked the tunnels.
- Blast timing
- Around 2:00 a.m. local time on Monday
- Rescue location
- Upper Trishuli-3A hydropower project, Rasuwa-Nuwakot, Nepal
- Excavation progress
- Nearly 10 metres cleared after the blast
- Missing hydropower personnel
- 933 reported missing
- Wider death toll
- More than 900 people across Nepal and Tibet
- Wider missing-person count
- More than 4,200 people across Nepal and Tibet
- Rescue assistance
- Nepal Army teams with technical support from India, China, and South Korea