Two Workers Rescued Alive After Nine Days Underground

Two Nepali power plant workers were pulled alive from a flooded tunnel after nine days underground, a rare rescue amid a deadly Himalayan disaster.

Story Highlights

Rescuers found Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan alive inside the Upper Trishuli 3A tunnel.
A joint team led by the Nepal Army carried out the high-risk extraction.
Officials said the men survived after a wall of ice, rock, and debris smashed the valley.
Engineers say an air pocket deep in the tunnel likely kept them alive.

Who Was Rescued And From Where

Reuters and other outlets named the survivors as Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor. Both men were found inside the tunnel at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station, which sits along Nepal’s Trishuli River. The rescue happened after days of nonstop digging and pumping to clear mud and water from the bore. Some reports list nine days since the flood; others say ten, but all confirm the same successful extraction.

The Nepal Army confirmed the men were alive and said a joint team led the mission, with support from the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and technical experts. The operation followed a region-wide disaster that ripped through valleys and wiped out access points. The workers were the first known rescues from the hydropower projects hit by the flood, offering a rare breakthrough for families waiting for news. Officials transferred the men for medical care shortly after extraction.

What Triggered The Disaster And Why Survival Was Possible

Officials described the trigger as a wall of ice, rock, and debris that leveled the valley where the Upper Trishuli 3A station sits. The surge buried tunnel portals and jammed shafts with mud and water. Rescue engineers searched for a survivable pocket where trapped air could remain. A veteran tunnel engineer who helped lead the effort said the two men endured in an air-filled chamber, which made nine days underground possible despite the harsh conditions.

CNN and other outlets detailed the tactics at the scene: teams drilled, drained, and cleared debris to reach deep sections of the tunnel system. Crews passed oxygen tanks and protective gear down as they advanced. The Guardian reported the survivors were recovered from roughly 170 meters inside the tunnel, showing how far rescuers had to push in unstable ground. These steps took time, but they likely kept the chamber viable while crews opened a path to safety.

How The Rescue Fits A Larger Pattern Of Risk

The Trishuli operation took place as Nepal faced damage across many hydropower sites at once, with responders spread thin and locations hard to verify. Reuters reported that at least 11 hydropower projects were engulfed when a glacier collapse sent destructive flows downstream, burying entrances and stranding workers. In such cases, early numbers on how many are trapped can vary, and teams must first find the tunnels before they can attempt rescues. That pattern also held here.

Major Breakthrough at Chilime Tunnel in Nepal

Indian and Nepali teams have achieved a crucial advance in the Chilime hydropower tunnel rescue, connecting the approach road to the tunnel portal so heavy equipment can now enter and accelerating operations toward the powerhouse… https://t.co/CvAdY1t6mj pic.twitter.com/Tb2xqGzSHo

— India Strikes YT 🇮🇳 (@IndiaStrikes_) September 12, 2026

Survivor testimony added human detail to the core facts. Reuters reported that Sah said he stayed to help others from a control room area, which helps explain why he and his colleague remained in the survivable zone. ABC News carried video from the Nepali Army showing Sah recounting his role after the rescue. Those accounts align with the engineering explanation of an air pocket and the methodical push by joint rescue teams to reach the chamber.

What Comes Next For Nepal’s Hydropower Sites

Rescuers continue to assess long, complex tunnel systems where other workers may have been during the flood surge. The multi-site damage complicates search planning and stretches manpower and equipment. Engineers are mapping pathways, checking water and gas levels, and weighing where to drill or drain next. The Trishuli success shows survival is possible when air and space remain. But officials caution that conditions change fast, and each site poses its own hazards.

Why This Matters Beyond Nepal

The rescue underscores how modern infrastructure can turn into a maze when nature strikes. When portals are buried, records washed away, and ground still moving, raw courage must pair with smart engineering. People across the political spectrum worry that big systems break under stress while leaders argue over credit. This story shows that disciplined teams, clear roles, and practical tools can still save lives, even when the odds look bleak and time is running out.