Laos: Five people rescued from flooded cave

A complex rescue operation in Laos has successfully brought five men to safety from a flooded cave, though two remain missing. The group, who entered the cave last week in search of valuable minerals, became trapped when a flash flood blocked their exit. One member managed to escape and alert authorities, initiating a multi-national rescue effort.

Rescuers discovered the five men on Wednesday, approximately 300 meters from the cave mouth. While awaiting extraction, the trapped individuals were provided with essential supplies, including water, food, and blankets. The rescue was made possible by continuous efforts to pump water out of the cave, a process complicated by a rainstorm on Friday.

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A total of five people have now been rescued, while two remain missing.

Teams from Laos, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia converged on the rugged central province of Xaisomboun, about 120 kilometers north of the capital, Vientiane. Divers navigated dark, unfamiliar, and narrow flooded passages with jagged walls, racing against time. The rescued men were found to be exhausted and suffering from dehydration but were reported to be in good health.

Hopes are diminishing for the two remaining missing individuals, as rescue teams have searched about 95% of the tunnel system. Finnish cave diver Mikko Paasi expressed concern, stating, "We don’t have many places left to search."

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We don’t have many places left to search.