Nepal: Two people pulled alive from tunnel connected to hydroelectric power plant on Trishula River

Two people were pulled alive today from a tunnel connected to a hydroelectric dam on the Trishula River, nine days after an avalanche of ice, rocks and mud swept through a valley in Nepal, killing more than 1.200 people and displacing tens of thousands, Reuters news agency reported.

There may still be people alive in the tunnel of the Trishuli 3A hydroelectric power plant, a ruling coalition lawmaker said, hours after two people were rescued, Reuters reported.

Officials and rescue workers believe that the August 26 collapse of a glacier in the upper reaches of the Trishula River trapped at least 900 people in tunnels connected to six hydroelectric projects along the river.

At least 1.252 people have died in Nepal after a devastating avalanche of ice, rocks and mud swept away homes, streets and schools in towns and villages near the border with China's Tibet. More than 4.200 people are still missing, while thousands more have been displaced.

China has announced that 21 people have died in Tibet, while 541 are missing.

Two workers pulled from the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli 3A hydroelectric power plant are the first people rescued from hydroelectric facilities.

These are Sanjaj Sah, a manager in the mechanical sector, and Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor, the office of Energy Minister Biraz Bakta Shrestha announced.

Footage and photos released by Nepalese authorities show Maharjan being pulled out of a hole in the ground to the cries of the crowd, after which he was placed on a stretcher.

The other man, Saha, was carried on his back to the rescue tent by a worker, his face covered in mud.

A team of military doctors treated Shah in a tent near the tunnel, apparently placing an oxygen mask over his mouth and checking his vital signs, one of the footage shows, Reuters reports.

"His name is Sanjay Sah and he was working in the engine control room. Vital signs are normal," said an army official.

Maharjan cannot move his arms and legs, while Sah's injuries are not critical, an aide to the energy minister told Reuters.

Both will be taken to a hospital in Kathmandu, the aide said.

Amir Maharjan, Kabir's brother, said he had not yet received any official information, but that he had been told to go to the hospital.

"I hear from the news that my brother has been found. The whole family is overjoyed," said Amir.

A team of experts in one Vocap group guided rescuers during the search in hydroelectric facilities, and the group became a valuable asset, along with helicopters and heavy machinery, in the race to find survivors.