Nepal tunnel survivor returns to grieving village
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Sanjay Sah, a 30-year-old mechanical foreman, returned to Tilathi Koiladi, Nepal, after being rescued from a hydropower tunnel following a glacier collapse.
Sah spent nine days trapped in the tunnel and a week recovering in a hospital before travelling home to his family. His return was a joyful but sorrowful occasion, as his village continues to mourn the loss of many workers missing after the disaster.
The glacier collapse in Nepal killed at least 1,386 people and left 5,130 missing weeks after the event. Sah was one of only three people rescued from tunnels buried by the debris, surviving by drinking flood water and seepage. He endured a long bus journey from Kathmandu to reach his village. Upon his arrival, Sah was greeted by approximately 60 people, including his parents, wife, and daughter, who performed a traditional welcoming ceremony.
The reunion was emotional, with family members crying and embracing him. However, the celebration was tempered by the fact that many villagers are still awaiting news of missing relatives who were also working at the affected hydropower stations. Sah expressed his desire to remain in his village for a time to connect with his community, but acknowledged he would return to work if called upon.
