Two workers have been rescued alive from a tunnel in Nepal as rescuers continue to search for dozens of people believed to be trapped following devastating flash floods near the border with Tibet.
The body of a third person was later discovered inside the same tunnel.
Flash floods hit the Himalayan region on August 26, sweeping away villages and destroying roads, buildings and vehicles. The disaster is believed to have been caused by the collapse of a glacier.
In Nepal and Tibet, at least 1,311 people have been confirmed dead and more than 5,300 remain missing. Hundreds of foreigners from at least 34 countries are also believed to be among the missing.
Rescuers are searching seven hydropower tunnels in Nepal, where more than 150 people are feared trapped, as well as 19 other flood-affected locations.
READ ALSO: Floods in Nepal: More than 1,000 dead while hundreds remain trapped in tunnels
At the Trishuli 3A site, rescuers heard what appeared to be voices early Friday while working in the flooded tunnel. They called out to those inside and reportedly received a weak response.
The teams then entered the tunnel and found Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan alive. Both had injuries to their hands and legs, possibly caused by crawling through the tunnel in an attempt to escape.
The two men were airlifted to a military hospital in Kathmandu. Nepal’s prime minister’s office said Maharjan was in critical condition, while Shah was undergoing medical tests.
The body of a third person was later found in the tunnel, but could not be immediately identified. Authorities believe another 39 people may still be inside the Trishuli 3A tunnel, although it is unclear how many, if any, are still alive.
Rescue teams have faced great difficulties as mud, rocks and flooding have blocked access to the tunnels. Engineers have been pumping air underground while crews dig new access points.
Much of the heavy machinery used at hydroelectric facilities was also swept away by the floods, making it difficult to clear debris.
Colonel Jhabindra Reshmi said rescue teams had so far saved more than 400 Nepali nationals and 270 foreign nationals following the disaster.
Uttam Bhlon Lama, vice president of Independent Power Producers of Nepal, said the rescue of the two workers would encourage teams to continue searching for others.
However, authorities have warned that more rain could lead to more flooding in the region.
Scientists are still investigating the exact cause of the disaster, but evidence points to glacial collapse. Experts have also suggested that climate change may have contributed to the growing instability around the glacier.
Researchers from several organizations said there were signs of growing instability in the days before the collapse and argued that stronger early warning systems could have helped save lives.
Rescue operations continue as teams work to reach those believed to still be trapped underground.
(BBC News)
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