2 workers rescued alive from tunnel following mudslide in Nepal

KATHMANDU -- Two men trapped inside the tunnel of the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, which was badly affected by last week's deadly mudslide, were rescued alive on Friday, the Nepali Army said.

"After 10 days of darkness, life has seen the light again. Two people have been rescued alive from inside the hydropower project tunnel at Trishuli-3A," the Nepali Army said in a social media post. "The rescue operation is underway."

Their rescue has revived hope that those believed to be trapped in tunnels of several flood-affected projects could also be rescued alive.

The Secretariat of the Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation said that Kabir Maharjan, 45, a supervisor for the Hydropower Automation Project of Upper Trishuli 3A from Kathmandu, and Sanjaya Sah, 30, a foreman from Saptari district, were rescued alive.

According to local media reports, the rescue team made further efforts to break through the tunnel after hearing voices from inside and establishing communication with people believed to be trapped there.

The deadly mudslide on Aug. 26 devastated infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river corridors, killing at least 1,259 people, while 5,083 people remained missing as of Thursday evening, according to the latest situation report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.