Five villagers trapped for more than a week inside a flooded cave in central Laos have been found alive, according to rescue teams from Laos and Thailand. The group became stranded on May 19 in Xaisomboun province after heavy rain triggered flash flooding that blocked the cave’s exit. Rescuers say the five survivors were located on a rock ledge inside the cave and are in stable condition, though disoriented after days without contact.
International rescue teams — including divers who previously participated in the 2018 Thailand cave rescue — joined the operation over the weekend. Video shared by Thai rescue groups shows divers emerging into a chamber where the villagers were waiting with headlamps, surrounded by floodwater. Rescuers celebrated inside and outside the cave after confirming the group was alive.
Efforts are now focused on locating the two remaining villagers who are still missing. Officials say the search is challenging due to narrow, submerged passages, heavy rainfall, and difficult mountainous terrain leading to the cave entrance. Teams are working to deliver food and water to the survivors while assessing the safest method to bring them out.
Local authorities note that the cave is frequently visited by residents searching for gold, despite repeated safety warnings. The rescue operation remains active as teams continue navigating the flooded tunnels in hopes of finding the remaining two villagers.
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Sources
- ABC7 New York
- Devdiscourse
- Yahoo
- South China Morning Post
- Yahoo Malaysia
- WCVB Channel 5
- CBC
- CBS News