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Technical staff from the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) have joined the Nepali Army inside the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli-3A Hydropower Project to assist in the search and rescue operation for people still trapped underground.

The NEA technicians entered the tunnel alongside army personnel to identify potential locations within the underground powerhouse where trapped workers might be found. According to NEA sources, the technical team was mobilized to determine possible areas where survivors could be sheltering, as a significant number of people are still believed to be inside the underground facility.

After continuous rescue efforts, two individuals were rescued alive from the mud-filled tunnel on Friday morning. Rescuers have also recovered one body from inside the tunnel. However, the NEA estimates that as many as 42 engineers and employees may still be trapped at the project site.

According to Project Chief Awash Ojha, the two survivors—NEA mechanical foreman Sanjay Sah and supervisor Kabir Maharjan—are receiving treatment at the Nepali Army Hospital in Chhauni. The army has reported that both are in stable condition.

The two survivors were brought out of the tunnel by a joint rescue team comprising the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and the Nepal Electricity Authority. Ojha said the body recovered from the tunnel has yet to be identified.

The NEA believes that the largest number of trapped individuals may be inside the powerhouse. As a result, rescue teams have intensified search operations after identifying locations within the facility where people may be sheltering.

Although rescuers successfully pulled two people out alive after prolonged efforts in the mud-filled tunnel, search and rescue operations are continuing as a large number of people are still feared trapped inside.

Jalasarokar