Fresh Air Found in Nepal Tunnels After Two Weeks

Rescue teams in Nepal just found fresh air in tunnels where hundreds of people have been trapped for over two weeks, and experts say this discovery means more survivors could still be waiting for help.

Australian geologist Arnold Dix, working with Nepali rescue teams, made the breakthrough at the Chilime hydropower project. "We think we've found a zone where people may have survived and that is just amazing," he said from the disaster site.

The crisis began on August 26 when a glacier collapsed into a river on the Nepal-China border. The resulting flash flood engulfed at least 11 hydropower projects, burying tunnel entrances under mud and debris and trapping workers inside.

About 900 people are suspected trapped in these tunnels. The total disaster has claimed at least 1,399 lives across Nepal and Tibet, with more than 5,400 people still missing.

But rescuers are finding reasons to hope. In recent days, teams have pulled four people to safety, including a Chinese national rescued from a tunnel on Saturday and two hydropower workers freed on Friday.

Professor Dix says people trapped in the tunnels have survived in complete darkness with only water to sustain them. He estimates they could survive up to 17 days underground, and believes some of the power stations may have withstood the flooding's pressure.

"We can hear that it's hollow, we're calling out," Dix explained. "We're in miracle country."

The Bright Side

Each rescue proves that survival is possible even in the most desperate circumstances. The discovery of fresh air suggests oxygen is reaching trapped workers, which could extend survival time significantly.

Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah has promised rescue operations will continue without pause. "We know our responsibility and its sensitivity," he said, emphasizing the government's commitment to finding everyone.

Teams are using generators and mud pumps to clear the tunnels, working around the clock despite dangerous conditions. The successful rescues in recent days show their efforts are making real progress.

Fresh air means fresh hope for families waiting for news of their loved ones, and rescue teams aren't giving up on bringing more people home safely.