Nepalese rescuers are working to reach dozens of workers believed trapped inside hydropower tunnels, nine days after devastating flash floods struck the Himalayan region near the Tibet border.
Hopes of finding survivors rose after two men, Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan, were rescued alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel on Friday. Both suffered injuries and were taken to a hospital in Kathmandu. A third person was later found dead inside the same tunnel.
More than 150 people are feared trapped across seven hydropower tunnels, while rescue teams are also searching 19 other locations. Mud, rocks, water and a shortage of heavy machinery are making the operation extremely difficult.
Rescuers are pumping air into the tunnels and digging new access points. Authorities have warned that further rainfall could trigger additional flooding.
At least 1,287 people are confirmed dead in Nepal, with more than 5,000 still missing. In Tibet, Chinese state media has reported 31 deaths and more than 500 people unaccounted for.
