Five villagers trapped in a flooded cave in central Laos for more than a week were found alive on Wednesday, though rescuers say two others remain missing. The group had entered the cave in Xaisomboun province on May 19, where heavy rain triggered flash flooding and a landslide that blocked the exit and trapped seven people.
The cave is situated in a remote, rugged area of the Longcheng district, approximately 120 kilometers north of the capital, Vientiane. Rescue operations have been hampered by challenging mountainous terrain and persistent heavy rain. Reaching the site requires a steep four-kilometer hike on foot, and the cave entrance is described as rocky and narrow, barely wide enough for a single person to pass through.
The rescue mission involved collaboration between Lao authorities and Thai rescue teams, including international divers who participated in the 2018 rescue of a youth soccer team in Thailand. Video footage showed the moment divers discovered five of the villagers sitting on a rock surrounded by floodwater. While the discovery sparked celebrations among the rescue workers, organizers warned that the search for the remaining two missing individuals continues.
While there has been no official confirmation regarding why the villagers entered the cave, Bounkham Luanglath of the Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People stated that local residents frequently enter the cave to look for gold. This activity had reportedly continued despite repeated warnings from authorities regarding safety concerns.