Nine days after the catastrophic floods of Aug. 26, rescue teams succeeded in pulling two workers – a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor – out of the tunnel alive; both were flown to a Kathmandu hospital, with one in critical condition.

The floods killed at least 1,287 people and left more than 5,000 missing. About 115 people are believed to remain trapped in the Trishuli‑3A tunnel, and across 12 hydropower plants roughly 900 workers are missing, with about 500 thought to be trapped in tunnels, according to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal and other authorities.

The breakthrough has raised hopes among rescuers and officials. Brig. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet said the rescued man reported that more people are alive inside the tunnel, and Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina wrote on Facebook that officials are waiting for the rescue of more and more people.