Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Nepal Tunnel Survivor Returns Home After Glacier Disaster
Sanjay Sah survived for nine days inside a flooded tunnel in Nepal.
He drank flood water and water that seeped through the rocks.
Rescue workers eventually found and freed him.
After spending a week in a hospital, he traveled back to his village.
His family welcomed him with a traditional ceremony.
Everyone was happy to see him, but they also cried.
Many other people from the village are still missing.
Sah said he feels free at home and wants to spend time with his community.
He said he would return to work if he is called.
Sanjay Sah returned to Tilathi Koiladi after surviving nine days trapped in a hydropower tunnel.
Sah spent a week receiving hospital care in Kathmandu after his rescue.
He was one of three people rescued from tunnels at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station.
The glacier collapse killed at least 1,386 people and left 5,130 missing across Nepal.
Sah’s homecoming brought relief, while many villagers continued mourning missing hydropower workers.
- Who
- Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman, returned to his family in Tilathi Koiladi.
- What
- He came home after surviving nine days trapped in a hydropower tunnel and receiving hospital care.
- When
- He arrived on Sunday, Sept. 13, after leaving the hospital on Friday.
- Where
- Tilathi Koiladi in Nepal, near the border with India.
- Why
- He returned to reunite with his family and community after his rescue and recovery.
- Survivor
- Sanjay Sah, 30
- Time trapped
- Nine days
- Hospital care
- One week in Kathmandu
- People rescued from tunnels
- Three
- Deaths reported
- At least 1,386
- People missing
- 5,130 across Nepal
- Workers still missing
- Around 900 power-station workers