Nepal tunnel rescue faces unprecedented challenges, says expert

Rescue crews in Nepal are racing to reach hundreds of workers believed trapped in tunnels at a hydropower project after catastrophic flooding. Tunnel engineering professor Arnold Dix, who helped rescue 41 Indian workers from a Himalayan tunnel collapse in 2023, told Al Jazeera the operation is unlike any rescue he has ever seen, with rocks "the size of cars" blocking the way. He said crews have found the tunnel entrance, established drainage and are using explosives to clear massive boulders — a rare and risky approach in a rescue operation. Dix described a "Goldilocks zone" inside the power station where conditions, including air, water and possibly food, may sustain life. He said there is "every chance" that people could still be alive inside. Dix praised the resilience of Nepalese workers and said rescuers are doing everything possible to reach the area where survivors may be sheltering. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #NepalFloods #NepalDisaster #HimalayasFloodDisaster #Rasuwa #RasuwaHydropowerProjects #NepalRescueOperation #NepalMissingWorkers #NepalFlashFloods #NepalFloodRescue #TrisuliHydropower #ClimateDisaster