Five villagers who were trapped in a flooded cave in Laos for over a week have been located alive, while two others remain missing. The individuals entered the cave in Xaisomboun province on May 19, with heavy rainfall causing flash flooding that blocked their way out, leaving seven people stranded. Bounkham Luanglath from the Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People confirmed that five individuals were found safe, but the search continues for the remaining two missing persons.
A Thai rescue group shared a video showing the moment divers surfaced from the water and discovered the trapped villagers, who were sitting on a rock surrounded by floodwater. The rescuers had planned to explore air shafts above the cave to locate potential access points for the operation.
International rescue teams, including divers from Thailand who previously participated in the successful 2018 rescue of a group trapped in a cave in northern Thailand, arrived to assist in the operation. Divers ventured about 100 meters into the flooded cave and estimated the trapped villagers to be an additional 30 meters ahead, with efforts underway to pump out water to facilitate the rescue.
Located in a rugged area in Xaisomboun province’s Longcheng district, approximately 75 miles north of Vientiane, the cave’s challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions have posed difficulties for the rescue mission. Videos shared online by the Thai rescuers illustrated the arduous journey required to reach the cave’s entrance, which involved a steep 2.5-mile hike and navigating through narrow, rocky passages inside the cave.
Rescuers have been updating the public about the challenging conditions they face on social media.
