Rescuers Continue Search for Seven Villagers Trapped in Laos Cave

Rescue teams reached the seventh day of efforts Tuesday to locate seven villagers trapped inside a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos. Heavy rain on May 19 blocked the exit after the group entered to search for gold deposits. Divers have advanced roughly 100 meters into the narrow, muddy passages.

They estimate the villagers may be about 30 meters beyond the current reach, but rising water has prevented further progress.

The cave entrance lies in a remote mountainous area roughly 120 kilometers north of Vientiane. Reaching it requires a steep four-kilometer hike, and the opening is steep, rocky, and barely wide enough for one person at a time. Rescuers have used pumps to remove water and cleared rocks at the front of the cave on Monday. Water levels continued to rise afterward, limiting access to deeper sections.

One person from the original group escaped before the exit was blocked and alerted authorities, according to Bounkham Luanglath of the Lao rescue group Rescue Volunteer for People. Authorities had repeatedly warned villagers against entering the cave due to safety concerns.

The cave is known locally for gold deposits, though Laos has issued no official confirmation on the reason for the visit. " — Kengkard Bongkawong, Thai rescue group Metta Tham Rescue, May 25 (BBC News) Thai rescue teams arrived Sunday to assist. Several members previously took part in the 2018 operation that freed 12 boys and their coach from a flooded cave in northern Thailand.

No signs of life have been detected so far. Officials said the Laos Foreign Ministry has no information to release at this time.