Tessa Wong
Asia Digital Reporter, in Singapore

I've just spoken to Arnold Dix, the president of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, who has been advising the Nepalese government on how to conduct the rescue.

"I've never known a rescue operation where you had to look for an entrance of a tunnel that was previously up the hill, that was now underground," he tells me.

"You can imagine the enormity of the avalanche, it completely buried the entrance."

Using satellite data, rescuers were able to identify a spot to dig and eventually found the entrance - the next challenge was to locate survivors.

"We didn’t know where they were, we had to make our best guess using technology," Dix says.

Rescuers worked through a tunnel blocked entirely with mud and massive rocks - some bigger than cars - and had to resort to using explosives, "which we normally never do because of the risk of blowing people up".

"Then we found these two men. It's like layer upon layer of layer of miracles."

Image source, EPA

In the area of Nepal impacted by the flash flooding, there are hydropower sites dotted along the Trishuli River.

These hydro plants have vast tunnel networks sprawling underground.

When the floodwaters pummelled through the mountains and inundated the river, they filled up many of these tunnels with mud.

Some workers were lucky enough to get out, but it is estimated more than 150 people are still trapped.

Rescue efforts have involved "blasting boulders" to dig them out, with army personnel using explosives on the hillside.

Engineers have also been pumping air into the mud-filled tunnels.

Image source, Reuters

There are now 1,301 confirmed dead and 5,339 still missing in Nepal and Tibet following the deadly flash flooding nine days ago.

That figure includes 1,280 dead and 4,798 missing in Nepal, in the latest update from the country's police service.

On the Tibet side, officials confirmed at a press conference yesterday that the death toll has increased to 21, with 541 still unaccounted for.

Hundreds of foreigners are believed to be among those missing, from at least 34 countries.

Rescue operations are taking place at half a dozen hydropower tunnels in Nepal in which more than 150 people are feared trapped.

Stephen McDonell
China correspondent

On the 10th day of this flash flood emergency, hopes had faded that any more survivors could be found - yet two workers in Nepal have been dragged to safety from a hydropower tunnel system.

It is thought that hundreds of workers may have been trapped underground after a glacier collapsed last week, triggering a powerful high-mountain surge of mud and water compared to an inland tsunami.

Earlier today rescuers say they called into one of the tunnels at the Trishuli power project and several voices responded beyond a blocked section.

They asked the workers to have patience and now army teams have not only been able to reach the trapped men but to bring them to the surface alive.

Officials in Nepal have told the BBC that they are now expecting to rescue others from the same site.

Here are the latest images of Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan being airlifted to hospital, following their rescues this morning:

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

One of the survivors rescued this morning is in a "critical" condition, according to a new statement from the Nepal prime minister's office.

"Kabir Maharjan, who was rescued second, is in a critical state and is undergoing treatment at the Army Hospital in Kathmandu," the statement says.

Sanjaya Saha will also undergo medical examinations in the same hospital, it adds.

Both have been airlifted to Kathmandu this morning.

Image source, Prime Minister's Secretariat

Rescue operations are taking place at half a dozen hydropower tunnels in which more than 150 other people are feared trapped.

The two who have been rescued so far today are from the Trishuli 3A tunnel.

Dramatic footage shows the moment that the workers were pulled to safety

Nepal's communications minister, Bikram Timilsina, says there is hope for more rescues.

In a post on Facebook, he writes: "We are waiting for more and more people to be rescued.

"A heartfelt thank you to all those who worked tirelessly day and night to rescue two people alive!

"Efforts and prayers are under way to rescue more and more survivors."

Image source, Nepal Army Handout/EPA

As we've been reporting, today's rescues come nine days after deadly flash flooding on the Nepal-Tibet border.

Scientists are still studying the exact cause, but it is believed to have been caused by a glacial collapse and climate change may have been a factor.

Moments after the seismic event, which was initially thought to have been an earthquake, a massive wall of water and debris crashed downstream, taking buildings, roads and vehicles with it - you can see the path of the water in the graphic below.

More than 1,200 have been confirmed killed and 5,000 others remain missing, with more than 150 still feared trapped in a vast network of mud-filled hyropower sites along Nepal's Trishuli River.

Nepal has developed a number of projects alongside its mountainous river system.

Engineers have been pumping air into the tunnels - while some survivors previously told the BBC of the moments water crashed into their tunnel.

Image source, Handout to BBC Nepali

The wife of rescued labourer Kabir Maharjan, Hirashova, tells BBC Nepali how happy she is that he's been found alive.

"I saw the photos on Facebook. I was very happy. They are bringing him to the the army hospital in Kathmandu. I am heading towards the hospital," she says.

"We couldn't properly eat or drink for 10 days. We were very scared. Now we are all happy. We are even crying."

Image source, Reuters

Two workers have been rescued alive from the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Plant in Nepal, more than a week after a devastating flash flood tore through the Himalayan region.

If you're just joining us, this is what we know about the rescued workers so far:

• The two rescued workers have been named as Sanjaya Shah and Kabir Maharjan - authorities say they have been airlifted directly to hospital in Kathmandu
• Both of the workers have injuries on their hands and legs, "possibly" from crawling through the tunnel, authorities have told the BBC
• At least 39 others are expected to be rescued from the tunnel after rescuers heard voices early on Friday
• Dramatic footage shows the moment that the workers were pulled to safety
• More than 150 others are still feared trapped at other hydropower sites in Nepal
• The brother of one of those rescued says that his heart is "lighter"

A tunnelling expert told the AFP news agency that prior to the rescue, teams had already dug through debris blocking the tunnel for 50-60 metres (164-196 feet).

They were hoping for a breakthrough, said Arnold Dix, president of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association - and then they pulled the two survivors out.

"Right now, I'm 'glass three-quarters full'," said Dix.

"After a week of 24/7 heartache, we might, just, be back in miracle country."

Azadeh Moshiri
Reporting from Rasuwa, Nepal

Both of the rescued workers have injuries on their hands and legs, “possibly” from crawling through the tunnel.

They are suffering from lack of oxygen, authorities from the Nepal Electricity Agency (NEA) have told the BBC.

Azadeh Moshiri
Reporting from Rasuwa, Nepal

We have just spoken to Suresh Raut, a senior official of the Nepal Electricity Authority. He just told us they believe there are 39 workers in the tunnel.

They can't confirm how many are alive, but they confirmed the same figure of two survivors recovered from the tunnel.

He told us the survivors have been airlifted directly to the hospital in Kathmandu.

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.

Amir Maharjan, the brother of the rescued worker Kabir Maharjan, says that he is "so happy" that he has been rescued.

"My heart is lighter," he tells AFP news agency.

"The entire family is very happy," he says, according to Reuters.

Rescuers have described the moment they made contact with the surviving men.

After they initially heard voices from inside the tunnel, rescuers had called out: "Don't panic, we are here to rescue you," according to local news reports.

Then they heard a "faint response" from inside, saying "OK".

This is the dramatic moment that the workers were rescued from the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Plant, nine days after a flash flood that has killed more than 1,200 people.

We can bring you more photos from the Nepali authorities of the rescued workers.

Officials have told BBC Nepali that they are expecting at least 42 people to be rescued from the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Plant.

Image source, NEA

Image source, NEA

We're now getting the first photos of the people that have been rescued from the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Plant in Nepal.

The person in the photo below is Kabir Maharjan.

Image source, NEA

Image source, Shaktimaya Tamang/BBC Nepali