Security personnel who entered the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli 3A hydropower project said they found nothing apart from two people who were rescued alive and the body of another person.

Ambar Mahat, a member of the Armed Police Force (APF), told Kantipur that a seven-member team had reached all sections of the tunnel.

“Apart from the two people rescued alive, we found the body of one other person,” he said.

A seven-member team from the APF’s Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) unit, led by head constable Pawan Bahadur Tamang, entered the tunnel to search for survivors. A team from the Nepali Army also entered the tunnel and joined the search operation.

“Every section of the project has been buried under mud and soil, while some areas are filled with rocks,” Mahat said. “We crawled our way inside for 15 to 20 minutes. In each section we searched, we found mud, soil and sludge.”

He said the pressure of the water had also caused slabs above the tunnel to collapse.

“The two people were rescued from beside the building housing the powerhouse,” he said. “We did not hear any other voices.”

Sanjay Shah, who was rescued alive, had said that he was inside the powerhouse and was unable to get out while the others were being evacuated. He is currently receiving treatment at the Army Hospital in Kathmandu.

Nepali Army spokesperson Netra Bahadur Karki also confirmed that the search and rescue team had reached the farthest point of the tunnel.

“We understand that only one floor was left, where the body was found. Nothing else was found,” he said.

An official from the Nepali Army also said that nothing else had been found inside the tunnel.

Aabhash Ojha, chief of the Upper Trishuli Hydropower Station, said he had asked the search operation to be called off after the Army and APF teams failed to find anyone else.

“We have suggested going back with our staff to inspect the possible locations, and we will take a decision only after that,” he told Kantipur.

There were 42 people working at the hydropower project. The Upper Trishuli 1 project had 557 workers, Upper Trishuli 3B had 191, and Rasuwagadhi had 93, according to the available details. All of these hydropower projects were affected by the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood, with their tunnels covered by mud and debris.