Rescuers in Laos Drain Flooded Cave to Free Five Trapped Villagers

Rescue teams in central Laos are pumping water from a flooded cave to reach five villagers who have been trapped for more than a week. The operation is taking place in Xaisomboun province, about 120 kilometers north of Vientiane. The five men entered the cave on or around May 19 or 20 to look for minerals.

Heavy rain on May 21 caused flooding that blocked their exit. An eighth person escaped and alerted authorities.

Divers from Laos, Thailand, and a Malaysian volunteer have reached the men and delivered food and water. The men were identified by their first names as Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing, and Laen. Video recorded by Thai diver Norrased Palasing shows them sitting on a rock inside the cave.

Kengkaj Bongkawong, head of the Thai rescue group Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, said divers from Indonesia, Japan, and France are also traveling to the site. The Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People is coordinating the effort.

Search teams continue to look for two additional villagers who remain unaccounted for. Bounphong Khammanyvong, a local official in Longcheng district, said the group had noticed rocks or sand with unusual colors and entered hoping to find valuable minerals.

Friday’s plan to pump water and extract the five men was delayed by overnight rain that sent more water into the low-lying cave entrance. Officials said the men appeared exhausted but otherwise in good health.