Chinese Worker Rescued After 10 Days Trapped in Nepal Tunnel Returns Home
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A 49-year-old Chinese construction worker has returned home to Henan province after surviving 10 days trapped in a tunnel when a massive mudslide struck a hydropower project site on the China-Nepal border in late August. Lu Haitao (陸海濤) was rescued on September 5 and arrived at Zhengzhou airport on September 17, embracing his son Lu Chenfei (陸晨菲) in an emotional reunion. He survived by licking water from the tunnel walls and climbing to the highest point for safety.
Key Points
- Lu Haitao, 49, from Anyang in Henan province, was working at the Upper Trisuli 1 Hydropower Station in Nepal when a massive mudslide triggered by an ice-rock avalanche struck on August 26
- He survived 10-11 days trapped in complete darkness inside the tunnel by licking water that seeped through the rock walls, climbing to the highest point for safety
- Nepalese military rescue teams found him on September 5, 2026; he was evacuated by helicopter showing signs of mild hypothermia but no serious injuries
- He returned to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport on September 17 via China Southern Airlines Flight CZ8533, where his son Lu Chenfei was waiting
- Father and son embraced tightly at the airport arrivals hall, with Lu stating, "Seeing my son makes everything okay"
Why It Matters
This survival story emerges from one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recent years along the China-Nepal border, which claimed over a thousand lives and displaced numerous workers at infrastructure projects in the region . The successful rescue highlights the coordination between Nepalese military and Chinese authorities in responding to cross-border emergencies, while Lu's reunion with his family underscores the human cost of infrastructure development in geologically sensitive border regions .
This survival story emerges from one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recent years along the China-Nepal border, which claimed over a thousand lives and displaced numerous workers at infrastructure projects in the region . The successful rescue highlights the coordination between Nepalese military and Chinese authorities in responding to cross-border emergencies, while Lu's reunion with his family underscores the human cost of infrastructure development in geologically sensitive border regions .