Rescue efforts in Nepal have successfully extracted hundreds of trapped individuals from a mud-saturated hydropower tunnel following a catastrophic mudslide that has left many missing.
Rescue workers in Nepal have been engaged in a challenging operation to save citizens trapped in a mud-filled hydropower plant tunnel after a devastating mudslide struck the region. Video footage released by Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Office captures the intense efforts of rescuers pulling individuals through the inundated tunnel.
On Friday, the Prime Minister’s Office reported that 350 people had been successfully rescued from the tunnel, although more than 100 individuals remain unaccounted for. In addition to those rescued from the tunnel, workers have managed to evacuate another 533 residents from flooded areas.
The mudslide occurred in the Rasuwa district of northern Nepal and has had a significant impact on the neighboring Chinese province of Tibet. The disaster has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with at least 538 confirmed dead in Nepal, according to the latest estimates from the Nepal National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and the Nepal Police.
As the search continues, the number of people unaccounted for on the Nepalese side has risen to approximately 1,924, as reported by The Associated Press. On the Chinese side of the border, authorities have confirmed five fatalities, with an additional 558 individuals reported missing.
The U.S. State Department has indicated that among the missing are around 90 American citizens. President Donald Trump addressed the disaster on Thursday, describing the scene as “brutal” and noting the unprecedented nature of the mud and water mixture that has caused significant destruction.
The mudslide is believed to have been triggered by a massive ice rock that fell into the Lhende Khola River following an earthquake. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the catastrophic debris flow and flood were likely initiated by a glacial collapse in Langtang National Park, Nepal, near the border with China.
The USGS noted that the debris flow and flooding traveled nearly 100 kilometers, impacting populated areas downstream along the Trishuli and Bhote Koshi Rivers, including Gyirong Port in China. Preliminary reports and imagery analysis suggest that many buildings and critical infrastructure have been buried or destroyed, including a vital highway connecting China and Nepal.
As rescue operations continue, the situation remains dire for those still missing and their families. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, and further assistance may be mobilized as the full extent of the disaster becomes clearer.
For ongoing updates and more information, Fox News Digital has reached out to the Nepalese Foreign Ministry and the U.S. State Department.
According to The Associated Press, the rescue efforts are a testament to the resilience and determination of the teams working tirelessly in the face of overwhelming challenges.