Two workers rescued from tunnel in Nepal nine days after devastating flood
Two workers have been pulled from a hydropower tunnel alive nine days after deadly floods tore through the Nepal-Tibet border region.
Nepalese politician Shri Ram Neupane and Brigadier General Raja Ram Basnet confirmed the men were rescued from the ongoing operation at the Trishuli 3A project on Friday.
Two workers have been pulled alive from a hydropower tunnel. Bikram Timilsina
Local officials identified the men as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor.
The pair were in stable condition and flown to a hospital in Kathmandu, according to the Associated Press.
Footage of the miraculous moment rescue crews pulled the dirt-covered men from the tunnel was posted to social media.
Their recovery follows earlier reports voices could be heard coming from inside the tunnel, where people were believed to be trapped inside after a glacier collapsed and triggered floods and landslides across the border region.
The workers from the hydropower project account for at least 557 of the 5620 people missing in Nepal and Tibet.
Of those, about 115 are believed to be trapped inside the main tunnel.
Nepali Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina said the government remains hopeful that more workers will be rescued soon.
“We are waiting for the rescue of more and more people to be rescued alive,” he wrote on social media.
There are about 1280 people confirmed dead as of September 3, according to information from Nepali and Chinese authorities.
The workers from the hydropower project account for at least 557 of the 5620 people missing in Nepal and Tibet. Shri Ram Neupane
Earlier on Friday, two more Australians were confirmed safe after being uncontactable but the federal government raised concerns over the 36 that remain missing.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he has spoken with the Nepalese Prime Minister Shah of Nepal to extend his condolences.
“Australia stands by Nepal and is providing help where it’s needed most through humanitarian supplies, equipment and specialised capabilities,” he said in a statement.
“The loss of life and destruction is devastating, and we will keep doing everything we can to find the Australians still unaccounted for.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those Australians who are still missing.”
The federal government has provided $11 million to support the disaster efforts in Nepal and deployed 42 personnel to the region.
IF YOU WANT TO HELP
Australians can support the Nepal Flood Disaster Appeal through Emergency Action Alliance website https://emergencyaction.org.au/ or by calling 1300 939 000.
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