"It Was Hell"... Only Bodies Found Despite Desperate Rescue Efforts

[Anchor]

At a hydroelectric power plant construction site instantly buried by a massive flood, over 900 people remain missing. While hundreds are estimated to be trapped inside a construction tunnel, rescue teams have managed to enter part of the tunnel to supply food and air, but have yet to confirm any survivors.

Reporter Kim Minpyo has the details.

[Reporter]

A rescue worker ties a rope around their waist and descends into the hydroelectric plant tunnel.

Because both sides of the tunnel entrance were blocked by mud, rescue workers drilled through the upper section to create an entry route.

Operations are also underway to inspect the inside of the tunnel via cameras.

Oxygen and food are being supplied to areas where survivors are likely gathered.

About 10 tunnel rescue experts dispatched from China and India have also joined the effort.

Despite round-the-clock desperate rescue operations, no news of survivors has emerged; instead, bodies continue to be recovered near the entrance.

Those who miraculously escaped the tunnel by being carried or crawling describe the place as hell.

[Ram Chandra / Tunnel Survivor : I was hanging onto a ladder attached to the ceiling. If I had let go, I would have fallen into the muddy water mixed with water and concrete.]

[Amar Bista / Rescue Volunteer : When I went into the tunnel, the reality was so devastating. I cannot put it into words.]

Nepali authorities report that about 900 people are missing across more than 10 hydroelectric power plants, with a significant number believed to be trapped in the tunnels.

It is understood that multiple large tunnels were built at each plant to channel water from upstream or to install machinery.

[Look at how deep it is here.]

Mud still fills and solidifies inside the tunnels, and the work to drill upper access routes is progressing slowly.

To prevent the tunnels from becoming giant tombs, Nepali authorities are fighting a race against time.

It is the sixth day since the massive flood occurred.

The death toll across China and Nepal has risen to 919, with nearly 4,800 people reported missing.

(Video Editing: Kim Byung-jik)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.