Lu Haitao, a Chinese national, was rescued from a hydropower tunnel in Nepal on Saturday, 10 days after devastating floods that killed more than 1,300 people. He was found in a 225-meter (740-foot) tunnel and evacuated by helicopter, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
Lu is in stable condition and is being treated at a hospital. His family in China had been anxiously awaiting news for days. His sister, Lu Hairong, told state media Red Star News that she received confirmation of his rescue before it was publicly announced, but only believed it after seeing a photograph of him.
Lu, 49, who previously worked as a farmer in Henan province, had traveled to Nepal in February for work, primarily in carpentry, his first time working overseas. His family had lost contact after he went to Nepal and his exact work location was not disclosed, leading to heightened worry.
"It’s a stroke of sheer luck amid the misfortune," his sister said.
Lu's cousin, Lu Haiqing, described daily searches for news and the use of artificial intelligence to translate Nepali reports into Chinese during the anxious wait. "This day has finally come," she said after learning of his rescue. "There is hope when one doesn't give up."
The floods, which occurred on August 26 and were likely caused by a glacier collapse, have left nearly 4,900 people missing, according to Nepal’s disaster management agency. On the Tibet side of the border, 31 people died and 531 remain missing.