Fresh hope has emerged in Nepal for more than 150 workers believed to be trapped in hydropower tunnels in the Trishuli Valley following the rescue of two workers after nine days underground.
One of the survivors, Sanjay Sah, says he chanted mantras to help him endure the ordeal and remained in contact with three of the four other people trapped with him.
The second survivor, Kabir Maharhan, has been taken to hospital and is in a critical condition.
Around the same time, rescuers retrieved a body from the tunnel. Authorities believe the person may have died in floodwaters while attempting to escape.
The workers have been trapped underground since Wednesday, 26 August, when a glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border triggered catastrophic flash flooding.
More than 1,300 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 5,300 remain missing following the disaster.
At least 39 workers are believed to remain trapped in the Trishuli 3A tunnel, while more than 100 others are thought to be trapped in similar tunnels across the valley.
An expert has told the BBC there could be a potential "Goldilocks zone" inside the Trishuli 3A tunnel, where conditions may be suitable for survival.
Rescue teams continue to face extremely challenging conditions as they work to reach those still trapped underground.
Nepal's Energy Minister says the rescue efforts will continue, stressing that hope remains as long as there is a possibility of finding survivors.
Source: BBC News
