Rescuers pull four from flooded cave in Laos, two still missing

Rescue operations in Laos have successfully extracted four individuals from a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, with efforts ongoing to locate two others still missing. The group of seven Lao nationals had ventured into the cave over a week ago to prospect for gold, only to be trapped when rising water levels blocked their exit.

Thai volunteer rescuers confirmed the extraction of the four men on Saturday. Video shared by the volunteers depicted the rescued individuals emerging from the cave, their faces showing relief and emotion, clad in muddy clothes. They had been located by rescuers on Wednesday but remained trapped until Saturday's successful extraction.

The rescue mission has drawn significant international support. A team of volunteers from neighboring Thailand arrived last Sunday, followed by reinforcements including divers from Finland, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia. Notably, some members of this international contingent were part of the high-profile 17-day rescue operation at the Tham Luang cave in Thailand in 2018.

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All four of the trapped people had emerged from the cave.