Nepal Flood Death Toll Hits 939 as Rescuers Blast Tunnels For Trapped Workers
Written by Damilola Oladoke on September 1, 2026
Rescuers in Nepal carried out a controlled explosion early Monday at a Trishuli hydropower tunnel in a bid to reach hundreds of workers trapped since Wednesday’s catastrophic flash flood and mudslide, triggered by a glacial collapse near the Tibet border.
Authorities now put the death toll at 939, with 3,925 people still missing (including 592 foreign nationals).
The number of missing hydropower workers has been revised down to 639.
More than 11,000 people have been rescued so far, but heavy rain and difficult terrain continue to hinder operations. International teams from India, China and South Korea are assisting.
In Tibet, Chinese state media report 16 dead and 546 missing; 10 people have been punished for allegedly spreading misinformation online about the disaster.
