Up to 400 workers feared trapped in Nepal's flooded Rasuwa tunnels

Up to 400 workers are feared trapped inside tunnels at Hakku-216 in Nepal's Rasuwa district, with rescue efforts hampered by heavy mud and water, the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) said.

The NMA said some workers have reportedly remained unreachable for around three days, raising concerns over their safety as difficult conditions continue to prevent rescuers from entering the tunnels.

An NMA rescue team led by rescue in-charge Bikram Karki was deployed to Tunnel Nos. 1, 2 and 3 to assess the situation and attempt to reach the workers, HimalayanTimes reported. 

However, the team could not proceed because the conditions inside the tunnels were considered extremely dangerous and technically difficult.

Rescue equipment urgently needed

The NMA has called for an immediate specialised rescue operation involving teams experienced in flooded, mud-filled and confined tunnel environments.

It said high-capacity water pumps and heavy equipment to clear mud and debris are urgently required. Rescuers also need advanced search and detection equipment, technical rope and confined-space rescue gear, breathing apparatus and life-support systems, the association said.

Medical and emergency response teams have also been sought, along with specialists experienced in mountaineering, canyoning, caving and technical rescue.

NMA offers technical support

NMA General Secretary Rajendra Bahadur Lama said the association's rescue team remained ready to provide technical assistance in coordination with government authorities, security agencies and national and international specialist rescue teams.

The association stressed that time was critical and called for all available resources to be mobilised immediately to locate the trapped workers and rescue them.