Two workers have been rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel in Nepal, nine days after a massive ice, rock and mudslide swept through the Trishuli River valley.
The workers, identified as Sanjay Sah, a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor, were found inside a tunnel at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station on Friday.
According to a statement from the office of Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, the two men were among several workers feared trapped following the disaster on August 26.
The landslide tore through parts of the Trishuli River valley, affecting several hydropower projects located along the river.
Rescue officials believe a glacier collapse in the upper Trishuli River region trapped at least 900 people inside tunnels connected to six hydropower projects.
Maharjan was reportedly in serious condition and unable to move his hands and legs, while Sah sustained injuries that were described as non-critical, according to an aide to the energy minister.
The rescued workers were being taken to a hospital in Kathmandu for further medical treatment.
The rescue brought relief to the families of the two men, although Maharjan’s brother, Amir Maharjan, said the family had not initially received official confirmation of his brother’s rescue.
“I have been hearing from the news that my brother has been found. The entire family is very happy,” Amir said.
The successful rescue came as emergency teams continued efforts to locate other people believed to have been trapped following the disaster.
The incident has caused widespread destruction across affected parts of Nepal, with more than 1,200 people reportedly killed and tens of thousands displaced.
Authorities and rescue teams remain engaged in search and recovery operations as they assess the full scale of the disaster and work to reach people still stranded in affected areas. (Reuters)
