Rescuers in Nepal pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel on Friday, raising hopes of reaching a dozen others believed to be trapped nine days after catastrophic floods devastated towns and swept away villages.

The two men were rescued from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A construction site in Nepal's Rasuwa district. Their rescue came after nine days of intense search and rescue operations following the devastating floods that struck on August 26.

Nepalese lawmaker Shri Ram Neupane confirmed the second rescue on his Facebook page, shortly after army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet announced the first survivor's rescue. Basnet stated that one of the rescued workers indicated that more individuals were still alive inside the tunnel. Officials identified the rescued men as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor.

Rescuers first heard voices from within the tunnel on Friday morning, which allowed them to locate the two survivors. Local television news channels broadcast images of the first rescued worker, covered in mud and being carried from the site by a rescuer. Both men were reported to be in stable condition and were subsequently flown to a hospital in Kathmandu for medical attention.

The rescue offers a glimmer of hope amidst widespread devastation. The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal reported that at least 557 workers are missing from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project, with approximately 115 believed to be trapped within the tunnel system. Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina expressed optimism, stating officials remain hopeful for further rescues.

The floods, believed to have been caused by a glacier collapse, have had a catastrophic impact across Nepal. The country's disaster management agency reported that at least 1,259 people have died, and over 5,000 are still missing. The disaster also affected neighboring regions, with China reporting 21 deaths and 541 missing on its side of the border.

Across 12 hydropower projects in Nepal, about 900 workers are reported missing, with an estimated 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels. This situation highlights the significant human toll of the disaster and the ongoing challenges faced by rescue teams.

The successful extraction of the two workers underscores the resilience of the rescue efforts and the determination to locate and save those still missing. The coming days will be critical as search operations continue under challenging circumstances.