Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Shri Ram Neupane said rescuers have heard voices coming from inside a tunnel at the Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project.

Neupane, who has been involved in the rescue operation since the beginning and is also an engineer, said the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force stepped up efforts to enter the tunnel after people could be heard inside.

In a post on social media, Neupane said rescuers had reported hearing human voices from within the tunnel.

“The rescue team has received information from the Nepali Army that voices of people have been heard inside. Teams from the Nepali Army and Armed Police Force have entered the tunnel and intensified the rescue operation,” he wrote. “Hearing people speaking from inside the tunnel is an encouraging sign.”

Neupane later said rescuers had confirmed hearing the voices of more than one person.

“The rescue team called out, ‘Don’t panic, we are here to rescue you,’ and received a response from inside saying, ‘Okay,’” he said.