Nepal death toll rises to 1,295; two workers rescued alive from tunnel

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Two men rescued alive from the tunnel identified as Kabir Maharjan, 45, a mechanical supervisor, and Sanjay Sah, 30, a foreman

Kathmandu: The death toll due to flash floods in Nepal rose to 1,295 on Friday as more bodies were recovered from the affected areas while two men were rescued alive from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project after being trapped for nine days.


The joint command of security forces is actively conducting search and rescue operations for the estimated 5,000 missing. So far, 13,093 people have been rescued from the affected areas. The devastating flash floods in Nepal have affected more than 32,000 people and damaged roads, bridges, schools and healthcare facilities, according to a preliminary government report released on Friday.

The two men rescued alive from the tunnel were identified as Kabir Maharjan, 45, a mechanical supervisor on the project, and Sanjay Sah, 30, a foreman, according to the Public Relations Directorate of the Nepal Army. Maharjan was flown to Nepal Army Hospital in Chhauni, Kathmandu, and his condition is said to be critical, while Sah is under treatment at the Trishuli hospital in Nuwakot, according to Raja Ram Basnet, Nepali Army spokesperson.

Sah, who is from Saptari district in Madhesh province, told security personnel that he was chanting 'Hare Krishna' mantra for the last nine days while trapped inside the tunnel.

Meanwhile, the sixth and seventh relief flights from India carrying 21.5 tonnes of relief materials arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday night. "India's support to Nepal's relief efforts for Rasuwa flash flood continues: 6th and 7th relief flights (C-130Js) arrived in Kathmandu tonight carrying 21.5 tonnes of relief assistance, including forensic kits and medical supplies," India's ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava said in a post on X. "These materials were handed over to Nepal, and will help strengthen ongoing Nepali relief and rescue efforts and support communities affected by Rasuwa floods," he added.

Around 600 children remain unaccounted for in Nepal's Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts. The disaster has also taken a toll on teachers and school staff. Education units confirmed that 22 teachers and school staff members remain missing across both districts.

Australian disaster response specialists left for Nepal on Friday to join the search for survivors, as the Australian government expressed "serious concerns" for the welfare of its 36 missing citizens.

The UN and humanitarian partners have launched a $49.6 million flash appeal to deliver life-saving relief to over 84,000 people affected by the floods.