Nepal Tunnel Survivors Rescued; Sydney's First Bird Flu Case

Two workers have been pulled alive from a collapsed tunnel in Nepal, nine days after catastrophic flooding trapped them underground in what rescuers are calling a remarkable survival story.

The men were discovered conscious after an extensive rescue operation that stretched more than a week, defying expectations as search teams worked through the aftermath of the devastating flood disaster. Their extraction marks one of the most extraordinary survivals to emerge from the disaster, which caused widespread destruction across the region.

Rescue crews battled difficult conditions throughout the operation, navigating flood-damaged terrain and unstable ground to reach the trapped workers. Officials confirmed both men were alive when brought to the surface, a outcome that drew an outpouring of relief from families and rescue personnel who had maintained hope through the long ordeal.

The pair are expected to receive medical treatment following their extended time in the tunnel, where they endured more than a week without regular access to food, clean water, or outside contact.

In separate news closer to home, health authorities have confirmed Sydney's first detected case of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, identified in a greater crested tern found on the Northern Beaches.

The bird, a coastal seabird common along the New South Wales coastline, tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain that has been spreading globally through wild bird populations. Health officials stressed the detection does not indicate any risk to the general public at this stage.

Authorities are urging members of the public not to handle sick or dead birds and to report any unusual wildlife deaths to the relevant animal health agencies. People who work closely with birds or poultry are advised to follow standard biosecurity precautions.

The H5N1 strain has been detected in various bird species across multiple continents in recent years, with seabirds among the populations most affected by the current global wave. Australia had largely avoided detections until recently, making the Sydney case a notable development for local wildlife and biosecurity agencies.

NSW Health and the Department of Primary Industries are monitoring the situation and conducting further testing of birds in the area. No human cases of H5N1 have been linked to the detection.