Expert Details Nepal Tunnel Rescue of Two Survivors

Arnold Dix, president of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, provided insights into the challenging rescue of two men, Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan, trapped in a flooded hydropower tunnel at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station in Nepal. The rescue operation faced numerous obstacles, starting with the need to locate the tunnel entrance, which had been buried by severe flooding.

Dix's team utilized old topographic maps, satellite imagery, and surface markers to find the entrance. Once inside, they encountered significant blockages of mud and rocks.

Rescuers dug trenches to drain the tunnel and employed controlled explosives to clear the largest obstructions, a risky move that required precision to avoid further danger. After creating a narrow passage, the team heard voices and successfully pulled the two survivors out.

Dix described the outcome as a series of miracles, noting that the rescue effort continues as they work to reach the hydropower station, which is approximately 150 meters away.