Kathmandu, Sep 04: A miracle has taken place in Nepal, which has been reeling under the severe floods. Even though it has been nine days since the flood, two workers who were stuck in the tunnel of Trishuli-3A hydropower project have been rescued alive.
The development has raised hopes among the rescue workers that there may be some more survivors inside the tunnel.
The two rescued have been identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor.
The tunnel was blocked by debris after the flood that occurred on August 26. Both were brought out safely during the ongoing rescue operation and taken to the hospital for medical check-up, officials said.
Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has confirmed that one worker has been rescued safely from the Trishuli-3A tunnel. It is learnt that another worker was also rescued soon after.
“We have just received news that another person has been rescued,” Home Minister Sudan Gurung said in a statement.
Local television channels showed footage of a rescue worker carrying the first worker, who was buried under mud, on his shoulders.
At least 557 workers are missing from the Trishuli-3A hydroelectric project on the banks of the Trishuli River. Around 115 of them are believed to be trapped inside the main tunnel, the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal said.
Officials at the scene of the rescue operation said they could not rule out the possibility that some more people were still alive inside the tunnel.
The floods that hit on August 26 were believed to have been caused by a glacier collapse. The floods have severely damaged several towns and valleys in Nepal, causing widespread destruction and loss.
According to Nepal’s disaster management agency, at least 1,259 people have died in the floods, and more than 5,000 are still missing.
Around 900 workers are missing from 12 hydroelectric projects in Nepal. Local officials said around 500 of them may be trapped in tunnels.