The rescue team of the Armed Police Force (APF) as of Tuesday took out all four bodies from the tunnel of the under-construction Kalanga Gad Hydropower Project.The deceased included both the workers and technicians, according to Kalanga Gad Hydropower Project operator Khageshwor Bohora. They died due to asphyxia. Three bodies were taken out on Monday afternoon and night. An APF team this afternoon took out the body of Shersingh Dhami.

According to a news bulletin section of the Armed Police Headquarters, the body of 30-year old Mahendra Shahi, a permanent resident of Gurans Municipality-3 of Dailekh district, was taken out on Monday night. The hydropower’s tunnel construction work was going on at Darimgard Village of Bungal Municipality-1 in Bajhang district. Persons who had lost their lives inside the tunnel included 24-year old Mahendra Saud, a permanent resident of Turmakhand Rural Municipality-6 in Achham district and 32-year old Karan Shahi, of Gurans Municipality-3 of Dailekh district. A bolero motor vehicle and two tractors were also stuck inside the tunnel.

According to DSP Ajay Chhatakuli at the APF Headquarters, the APF rescue team from Nepal Disaster Management Training School, Kurintar reached the site via a chopper of Summit air. The rescue command was led by police inspector Bhaba Raj Katuwal. The victims were trapped inside the tunnel from 3:00 pm Sunday. Kalanga Gad Hydropower Project operator Bohora said that the technicians lost their lives as they failed to adhere to the safety protocols while entering the long-time closed tunnel.The tunnel was shut down for almost 35 days for  Dashain and Tihar festivals.

Published on: 6 November 2019 | The Rising Nepal