Rescuers dig into tunnel as missing toll from Nepal, China floods passes 3,000

Rescuers in Nepal and China worked through challenging conditions to locate thousands of people missing after a devastating flood and landslide. The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse on Wednesday near the China-Nepal border, resulted in 3,044 people missing and 750 confirmed deaths, with some bodies potentially washing downstream into India.

Nepali army personnel and engineers focused on rescuing workers trapped in a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydroelectric site, where they inserted a pipe into the passage. However, efforts were hampered by heavy rains and rising river waters, prompting Nepal's disaster authorities to warn rescue teams to proceed with caution. The affected region is home to numerous hydropower projects, with 933 workers among the missing.

Experts suggest that a glacier on the southern slope of Lirung Peak in Nepal fractured, causing an ice-rock avalanche that traveled over 20 kilometers before crashing into Gyirong Port. UN Climate Chief Simon Steil emphasized the fragility of mountain environments, noting that nothing remains for the affected communities. Survivors confront an uncertain future as they await news of their loved ones and face the daunting task of rebuilding their lives from scratch.

In Nepal, 589 foreigners, including trekkers and Hindu pilgrims, were unaccounted for, with the Isha Foundation reporting that 80 members had been on a group trip in the area. International aid agencies pledged millions in humanitarian assistance, while Nepal's Foreign Minister appealed for specialized equipment to aid the ongoing rescue operations.