<p>Thirteen construction workers, including a Chinese national, were rescued early today 16 hours after they were trapped by a landslide inside an under-construction tunnel of a major China-assisted hydropower project in western Nepal.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Some 16 Nepali workers and Chinese nationals were trapped inside the tunnel of Upper Madi hydropower project in Kaski district, about 125 kilometres from the capital, after a mudslide blocked its entrance yesterday.<br /><br />However, three workers including another Chinese national, have not yet been found, Nepal Army sources said.<br /><br />The workers were trapped for 16 hours inside the tunnel, which is being dug as part of the construction works of the 25 MW Madi Khola Hydropower project.<br /><br />They were pulled out from the tunnel after clearing the debris with the help of excavators, loaders and breakers.<br /><br />Army personnel and police were mobilised to rescue the workers.<br /><br />Earlier yesterday, the rescue team had managed to establish contact with the trapped workers and supplied water and air to them through a pipe by digging a hole.<br />An excavator operator and two others are still missing after the landslide struck, according to police.<br /><br />The project site at Sildujure is located in Kaski district, 17 km north of Pokhara, the tourist hub of western Nepal.<br />The USD 52 million project has a joint investment from China International Water and Electric Corporation and the Nepalese private sector partner.<br />The hydropower project, the first build-operate-transfer hydropower project invested by a Chinese firm in Nepal, would generate 25 MW of power in the energy-deficit country. PTI SBP<br />KUN 04261008</p>
<p>Thirteen construction workers, including a Chinese national, were rescued early today 16 hours after they were trapped by a landslide inside an under-construction tunnel of a major China-assisted hydropower project in western Nepal.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Some 16 Nepali workers and Chinese nationals were trapped inside the tunnel of Upper Madi hydropower project in Kaski district, about 125 kilometres from the capital, after a mudslide blocked its entrance yesterday.<br /><br />However, three workers including another Chinese national, have not yet been found, Nepal Army sources said.<br /><br />The workers were trapped for 16 hours inside the tunnel, which is being dug as part of the construction works of the 25 MW Madi Khola Hydropower project.<br /><br />They were pulled out from the tunnel after clearing the debris with the help of excavators, loaders and breakers.<br /><br />Army personnel and police were mobilised to rescue the workers.<br /><br />Earlier yesterday, the rescue team had managed to establish contact with the trapped workers and supplied water and air to them through a pipe by digging a hole.<br />An excavator operator and two others are still missing after the landslide struck, according to police.<br /><br />The project site at Sildujure is located in Kaski district, 17 km north of Pokhara, the tourist hub of western Nepal.<br />The USD 52 million project has a joint investment from China International Water and Electric Corporation and the Nepalese private sector partner.<br />The hydropower project, the first build-operate-transfer hydropower project invested by a Chinese firm in Nepal, would generate 25 MW of power in the energy-deficit country. PTI SBP<br />KUN 04261008</p>