RESCUERS in Nepal pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel yesterday, raising hopes of reaching a dozen others believed to be trapped.

The two men were rescued from a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A construction site, nine days after catastrophic floods devastated towns and swept away villages.

Nepalese lawmaker Shri Ram Neupane posted about the second rescue on social media shortly after army spokesperson Brigadier General Raja Ram Basnet confirmed the first trapped worker’s rescue. Basnet said one of the survivors told rescuers that more people were still alive inside the tunnel.

Officials identified the two men as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor.

Rescuers first heard voices from inside the tunnel Friday morning, confirming people were alive and allowing them to locate the two men, Mr Neupane said.

Officials said both were in stable condition and had been flown to a hospital in Kathmandu.

“I can’t explain what we are feeling at the moment. We are just grateful to God,” Amir Maharjan, brother to one of the rescued workers said.

At least 557 workers are missing from the Trishuli 3A hydropower project along the Trishuli River, with about 115 believed to be trapped in the tunnel, according to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal.