Survival Odds Dim for Hundreds Trapped in Nepal Tunnel Collapse
· World · Hindustan Times, The Independent
Rescue teams in Nepal are racing to reach hundreds of workers trapped inside hydropower tunnels buried by mud following catastrophic flooding along the Nepal-China border. Experts warn that the first 72 hours are critical for survival, with access to clean drinking water and oxygen serving as the primary limiting factors. While some workers may have received oxygen supplies, the ongoing isolation and potential for high temperatures inside the tunnels increase the risk of rapid dehydration and physical decline. Disaster epidemiologist Jennifer Horney noted that mud may have obstructed emergency exits, complicating rescue efforts six days after the initial disaster. Similar past incidents, such as the 2023 rescue of 41 Indian workers from a Himalayan tunnel, demonstrate that survival is possible if essential supplies can be delivered through pipes.
Why it matters
The rescue operation is a critical test of emergency infrastructure in high-risk Himalayan zones, with hundreds of lives hanging in the balance as time runs out for trapped workers.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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