Rescuers Pull Survivors From Flooded Laos Cave as Search Continues
International cave divers helped bring five people out after more than a week trapped underground, while two others remain missing.
BANGKOK | Rescuers have pulled survivors from a flooded cave in Laos after a group of men became trapped underground for more than a week, but search teams are still looking for two people who remain missing.
Reuters reported that four people were brought out Saturday after another man was rescued late Friday. The five were among seven Lao nationals who had entered a cave in Xaisomboun province to prospect for gold before rising water blocked their exit. The group had been found earlier in the week, but rescuers had to wait for conditions to allow a safe evacuation.
The rescue drew support from an international team, including volunteers from Thailand and divers from several countries. Some members of the rescue network were also involved in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, a mission that became a global example of high-risk cave-diving coordination.
CNN also reported from the scene, showing the difficulty of the operation and the emotional relief as survivors were brought out of the cave. The case underscores how quickly underground exploration can become deadly when heavy rain, rising water and narrow passages trap people beyond normal emergency access.
Additional Reporting By: CGN News review of reporting from CNN, Reuters and regional rescue updates cited in public reporting.