Rescue teams in Nepal successfully saved two workers from a hydropower tunnel on Friday. This effort is part of an ongoing mission to reach others who remain trapped. These events unfolded following devastating floods, likely caused by a glacier collapse, that impacted communities on August 26.

The two survivors were pulled from the Trishuli 3A tunnel. Their rescue occurred nine days after the initial disaster. A lawmaker in Nepal, Shri Ram Neupane, shared news of the second rescue on social media, and Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet confirmed the first rescue.

The saved individuals are identified as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor. Images from the scene show the first rescued worker, covered in mud, being assisted by rescue personnel. Both men are reported in stable health and have been transported to a hospital in Kathmandu.

I can’t explain what we are feeling at the moment. We are just grateful to god, said Amir Maharjan, brother to one of the rescued men, Kabir Maharjan. Amir shared his relief as the family traveled to visit him at the hospital.

Hirashova, the wife of one of the workers, also expressed immense relief and joy. She described the hardship endured by their family during the ordeal.

The disaster’s impact on the hydropower project is significant. Officials report that 557 workers are missing from the site on the Trishuli River. An estimated 115 are believed to be inside the main tunnel. Efforts to locate and rescue these individuals are ongoing, with hope remaining that more will be found.

Nepal’s Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina conveyed optimism about finding additional survivors. He posted about the rescues’ progress online.

Overall, the disastrous floods have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,259 people, with over 5,000 still unaccounted for according to disaster management agencies. On the Tibetan border, China reports 21 deaths and 541 missing persons.

The wider impact includes about 900 missing workers involved in 12 different hydropower projects across Nepal. Local authorities believe around 500 of these individuals are trapped in tunnels.