A Rescue That Seemed Impossible
On Friday, September 4, 2026, the world held its breath as the Nepalese Army and Armed Police Force managed to pull Sanjay Sah, 30, and Kabir Maharjan, 45, out alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel. Both had been trapped since the August 26 flash floods, which devastated the area with a massive landslide triggered by a glacial collapse near the border with China.
Rescuers, who worked around the clock for days, heard voices coming from inside the tunnel and established verbal contact with the trapped men. “Don't be afraid, we are rescuing you”, they shouted, and received a hopeful reply: “Okay”. That was the turning point in an operation that combined satellite data, engineering blueprints, heavy machinery, explosives, and manual digging.
“It was my responsibility to save everyone's life,” said Sanjay Sah, who helped evacuate 40-45 other workers before becoming trapped himself.
The Survivors and Their Health Condition
Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman from Saptari district in eastern Nepal, was rescued in stable condition. During his ordeal, he survived by reciting Hindu mantras and shouting to communicate with other trapped people (estimated to be 3 or 4).
Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor from Kathmandu, was found in critical condition and remains in intensive care. Both were immediately transferred to the Birendra Military Hospital in Kathmandu, where they are receiving specialized treatment.
After the rescue, teams recovered the body of a third worker, Binod Pandey, who did not survive. It is believed that initially between 40 and 42 workers were trapped in the tunnel.
An Unprecedented International Operation
The rescue was led by the Nepalese Army and the Armed Police Force, with collaboration from experts from India, China, and South Korea. Australian geologist Arnold Dix advised the operation, identifying the so-called “Goldilocks zones”—areas where temperature, oxygen, and water conditions could allow survival.
The workers were found about 170 meters from the tunnel entrance, a stretch that became the focus of a race against time. The combination of satellite technology and local knowledge was key to locating them alive.
The Tragedy Behind the Miracle
The August 26 floods, triggered by a glacial collapse, devastated the basin of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, destroying communities, bridges, roads, and critical infrastructure. As of September 4, official figures report:
| Country | Deaths | Missing |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | More than 1,290 | 4,788-5,000+ (including 601 foreigners) |
| China (Tibet) | At least 31 | 531-550 |
| India | 3 bodies recovered | — |
The combined toll, according to CNN, stands at 1,326 dead. More than 900 hydropower project workers remain missing in Nepal, making this one of the worst natural disasters in the region in decades.
Humanitarian Aid and Repatriation
The scale of the disaster has mobilized the international community. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that 43,000 people in Nepal (about 10,000 families) need urgent humanitarian assistance, while more than 84,000 people have been affected across the country.
UNICEF received a flight with 84 tons of supplies in Kathmandu, funded by the European Union, to assist the most vulnerable families. Additionally, 269 Nepali citizens stranded in China were rescued and repatriated: 114 on Thursday and 155 on Friday.
On the ground, villagers are using improvised zip lines to cross the Trishuli River and return to their homes, while China relocated customs facilities at the Zhangmu port on the Nepal border due to the risk of further disasters.
A Ray of Hope
The rescue of Sanjay and Kabir shows that, even in the most adverse circumstances, life finds a way. The Trishuli 3A hydropower plant, with a capacity of 60 megawatts, was a symbol of development for the region; today, its tunnels became the stage for a survival story that inspires the whole world.
As search efforts continue, the international community is redoubling its efforts to alleviate the suffering of thousands of families still waiting for news of their loved ones. Hope, though fragile, remains alive.