can high-tech drones save trapped tunnel workers?

High-tech drones are playing a crucial role in tunnel rescue operations, especially in inspecting hazardous and inaccessible areas. In response to recent tunnel emergencies like the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli corridor hydropower floods, Switzerland provided specialized Flyability Elios collision-resistant drones. These drones are equipped with thermal cameras and LiDAR, allowing them to navigate pitch-black, narrow, and flooded spaces to locate survivors and assess tunnel integrity where human rescuers cannot safely enter. While drones themselves primarily locate victims and map hazards rather than physically pull people out, they are vital for pinpointing trapped workers surviving in air pockets so teams can direct water pumps and rescue paths effectively.