Hydropower tunnel flood in Nepal kills over 1,000, rescue operations continue

Rescue operations are intensifying at a hydropower construction site in western Nepal after a structural failure led to a death toll that has now surpassed 1,000 workers. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday when a tunnel collapse triggered a massive landslide, trapped hundreds of laborers inside the excavation zone. Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation confirmed that emergency teams, including the Nepalese Army, police, and local fire services, have been deployed to the site, while aerial drones and heavy‑machinery equipment are being used to locate survivors amid the debris.

Authorities have set up a command center in the nearby district headquarters to coordinate the ongoing search, medical treatment, and family assistance. International assistance has been requested, with neighboring India and China offering rescue specialists and relief supplies. The government has pledged compensation for victims’ families and announced an inquiry to determine the cause of the collapse, citing concerns over construction safety standards and geological assessments. As the rescue effort continues, officials emphasized that the priority remains to recover any remaining survivors and to prevent further loss of life.