At least 16 workers, including two Chinese technicians, were on Friday trapped by a landslide inside an under—construction tunnel of a major China—assisted hydropower project in western Nepal.
About 16 Nepali workers and Chinese nationals were trapped inside the tunnel of Upper Madi hydropower project in Kaski district, about 125 km from the capital, after a mudslide blocked its entrance, police spokesperson Ganesh K C said.
Officials have been deployed to rescue those trapped inside the tunnel. Contact has been established with 13 of the trapped workers and they are reported to be safe.
A team of officials from Nepal Police and Nepal Army has opened a passageway by creating a duct through the fallen earth to provide water to the trapped workers.
The hydropower project, the first build—operate—transfer hydropower project invested by a Chinese firm in Nepal, would generate 25 MW of power in the energy—deficit country.
