Key Takeaways:

• Three bodies discovered inside Chilime Hydropower tunnel; two recovered, one retrieval ongoing
• Nepal Army divers entered tunnel through water outlet, searched to far end
• Rescue team used excavators, loaders and helicopters to clear debris and build 1,050m access road
• Water flow inside tunnel complicated search, limiting use of heavy equipment

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 16 A joint search and rescue team has found three bodies inside a tunnel of the Chilime Hydropower Project in Rasuwa, where people had been trapped following the Bhotekoshi flash flood on August 26. The Nepali Army said divers entered the tunnel through a hole where water had been flowing out and searched up to its far end on Wednesday. Two of the three bodies have been recovered, while efforts are underway to retrieve the remaining one. The rescue team had earlier deployed excavators and loaders airlifted to Syafrubesi by helicopter to clear debris and construct about 1,050 metres of access road towards the tunnel. During the operation, water was found flowing from a point about 70 metres inside. The team searched about 130 metres beyond the opening, but rising water levels in the upper section of the tunnel prevented the use of excavators. The search operation is continuing.