Additional Coverage:
- 5 villagers stuck in a flooded cave for more than a week found alive in Laos, rescuers say (nbcnews.com)
Rescue teams in Laos have found five villagers alive after they were trapped for over a week in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province. The discovery has brought waves of relief and celebration among rescuers and community members at the site.
The group originally entered the cave on May 19 but became stranded when heavy rains caused flash flooding, blocking the entrance. Two individuals remain missing as search efforts continue.
Footage shared by the Metta Tham Kalasin (MTK) Command and Control Center captured the moment rescuers located the trapped villagers. The video, recorded via a small body camera, showed the survivors huddled together on a rock, illuminated by headlamps, avoiding the muddy waters below.
Above ground, the news was met with emotional reactions-some rescuers embraced, others raised their fists in triumph, and several were moved to tears.
Bounkham Luanglath from the Lao Rescue Volunteer for People organization, collaborating closely with local authorities, confirmed the five were found safe but stressed that the search for the remaining two would persist. “I’m still shaking. Our team made it happen,” he said in a message to the press.
The cave, a narrow tunnel often visited by locals seeking gold deposits despite warnings from officials about the risks, has been notoriously dangerous.
Thai rescue teams arrived on Sunday to assist, including divers experienced from the 2018 Thai cave rescue of 12 boys and their soccer coach. These experts have been navigating the flooded passages in hopes of reaching the missing individuals.
Efforts remain ongoing as rescuers work tirelessly to bring everyone to safety.