On April 25, 2015, a magnitude-7.8 earthquake devastated Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. In the historic town of Bhaktapur, near Kathmandu, the four-story family home of the Awal family collapsed in seconds. Four-month-old Sonit (also referred to as Sonish or Sonies) Awal was trapped beneath the debris.

His mother, Rasmila (or Rashmila) Awal, had briefly stepped out to a nearby shop. Her 10-year-old daughter Sonia was home with the baby. When the shaking began, Sonia tried to carry her little brother to safety, but the house came down on top of them. Sonia was rescued after a few hours, unconscious but alive. Sonit, however, could not be found.

Nepal Army soldiers searched into the night but eventually left, believing further digging too dangerous amid the unstable ruins. The family refused to give up. Early the next morning, faint cries were heard from deep within the rubble. Soldiers returned and resumed careful manual excavation. After a total of 22 hours underground, they pulled the infant free. Covered in white dust and wrapped in a shawl, Sonit had only minor scratches—a wooden beam or fallen cupboard had shielded him from the worst of the collapse.

He was taken to Bhaktapur Hospital, where doctors confirmed he was essentially uninjured. The emotional reunion with his mother, captured in photographs that circled the globe, became one of the most powerful symbols of hope amid the catastrophe. Images of the dusty baby held aloft by rescuers, and later of mother and child embracing, offered a rare moment of light in a nation reeling from loss.

In the years that followed, Sonit grew into a healthy child. Follow-up reports at ages 1, 3, 6, and even 10 showed him thriving—walking, talking, attending school, and living a normal life with his family. The Awals faced prolonged hardship, including temporary homelessness, but eventually rebuilt their home. Sonit’s story continues to be remembered as a testament to resilience, the dedication of rescuers, and the enduring power of hope in the face of disaster.

Sources

• Nepali Times / Kathmandu Today reports and photo essays (2015–2021)
• CNN coverage of the rescue (April 2015)
• The Mirror and other international follow-ups on the “miracle baby”