Blurb: Residents scrambled to safer areas while others remained trapped as water and debris blocked all exit routes.
Kathmandu
Rescue teams in Nepal are continuing efforts to reach hundreds of workers trapped inside a tunnel following severe flooding, as survivors described desperate attempts to escape rising water and debris.
Workers caught inside the tunnel recounted frightening moments as floodwaters rapidly entered the underground passage. Many scrambled to reach safer sections, while others remained trapped as the water and debris blocked routes to the outside.
Rescue personnel have been working against difficult conditions to evacuate those still inside. Heavy equipment and controlled blasting operations are being used simultaneously to widen the tunnel opening and accelerate the rescue effort.
Officials and rescue teams are facing major challenges because of the unstable conditions and the volume of material obstructing access. The operation requires workers and machinery to clear the blocked sections while ensuring the safety of rescuers and those trapped underground.
Those who managed to escape described the situation as chaotic and dangerous. The sudden flooding left workers with little time to find safe routes, forcing them to move quickly through the tunnel in search of higher and safer ground.
Rescue authorities are concentrating their efforts on creating wider access points and clearing debris. Heavy machinery is being deployed to remove obstructions, while blasting is being carried out where necessary to speed up the operation.
Families and colleagues of the trapped workers are waiting anxiously for updates as rescue operations continue. Authorities have not given up efforts to locate and evacuate everyone still inside the tunnel.
The incident has highlighted the dangers faced by workers operating in underground construction areas during extreme weather events. Rescue teams are maintaining round-the-clock efforts, hoping to reach the trapped workers as quickly as possible and bring them to safety.