Two people were pulled out alive on Friday from a tunnel linked to a hydropower station on the Trishuli River, nine days after more than 1,200 people were killed in the national disaster in Nepal.
The two rescued alive were identified as Sanjay Sah (30), a mechanical foreman, and Kabir Maharjan (45), a mechanical supervisor. As per a statement by the Energy Minister Biraj Bhakta Shrestha's office, they were pulled from the tunnel at the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Station.
Officials and rescue workers believe the August 26 collapse of a glacier on the upper reaches of the Trishuli River trapped at least 900 people in tunnels related to six hydropower projects along the river. Maharjan cannot move his hands and legs but Sah's injuries are not critical, an aide to the energy minister told Reuters.The two are being taken to a hospital in Kathmandu, he said.
Amir Maharjan, Kabir's brother, said he has not received any news officially but has been told to go to the hospital."I have been hearing from the news that my brother has been found. The entire family is very happy," Amir said.
How the duo were rescued?
The rescue followed an earlier breakthrough in which rescuers heard voices from inside the tunnel and established communication with people believed to be trapped there, the Kathmandu Post newspaper reported. The Nepal Army-led security command has been engaged in the search and rescue operation using specialised equipment.
The Nepali Army and Armed Police Force intensified efforts to reach them after the voices were heard.
The death toll in Nepal due to the flash floods rose to 1,282 on Friday.
The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction.
So far, 359 bodies have been recovered in Chitwan, 218 in Nawalparasi East, 208 in Nawalparasi West, 185 in Nuwakot, 72 in Gorkha, 60 in Dhading, 140 in Rasuwa and 38 in Tanahu, according to Nepal Police.
With two people dying while undergoing treatment in two hospitals in Kathmandu, the death toll has reached 1,282.
