Search continues after flooding in Nepal: 1,294 bodies found
In Nepal, rescuers continue search operations after large-scale flooding that occurred on August 26 following a massive collapse of glacial masses and rocks near the China-Nepal border. According to Nepal’s disaster management agency, 1,294 bodies have been found in the country, while another 5,053 people are considered missing. This was reported by Asharq Al-Awsat.
Searches in tunnels
Search operations are continuing, including in the tunnel of the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, where two workers were rescued on September 4. They were pulled from under the rubble after being trapped for nine days. The men were taken to hospital, and their condition is assessed as stable.
Nepal Army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said that search-and-rescue operations have been underway at several sites, including in tunnels, since morning. According to him, the searches are continuing. Authorities had previously assumed that more than 100 workers could have remained alive in several tunnels.
Nepalese rescuers are being assisted in the search for survivors by specialists from India, China, Australia, and South Korea. The flooding destroyed at least 12 hydropower projects. Hundreds of hydropower industry workers are among the missing after being engulfed by a wave of water and mud.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Number of victims
In China, state media reported 31 deaths and 531 people missing. Thus, according to the cited data, the total number of deaths in the two countries is 1,325, while 5,584 people are missing.
Nepalese police reported that, due to overcrowded morgues, around 1,030 bodies were buried in mass graves. DNA samples were taken from the victims before burial so that relatives can identify them in the future.
Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah promised to provide safe and comfortable housing for thousands of people who have been left homeless and are staying in temporary camps.
