Two people rescued from Nepal hydropower tunnel more than a week after flash flood

This is a moment of hopepublished at 05:53 BST

05:53 BST

Azadeh Moshiri
Reporting from Rasuwa, Nepal

Amid all the devastation and the fading odds, this is a moment of hope.

Thousands of people are still missing, including hundreds of workers trapped in tunnels, many feared dead. But on Friday, rescuers suddenly heard voices in the Trishuli 3A tunnel, more than a week after the flood that has devastated border areas in the country.

These missions are challenging, as rescuers must make their way through flooded tunnels choked with mud and debris.

The crew had previously blasted a hole in the crown of the tunnel, and had descended on ropes. Excavators have also been used, and oxygen is also being pumped into the tunnel.

The survivors are now being airlifted to army hospitals for treatment, and the hope is more will follow.