5 villagers stuck in a flooded cave for more than a week found alive in Laos, rescuers say

Five villagers missing for eight days inside a flooded cave in Laos’ Xaisomboun province were found alive on Wednesday, though rescue efforts continue for two others still unaccounted for. Divers Mikko Paasi and Norrased Palasing, part of a team including Thai rescuers who assisted in the 2018 Thai cave rescue, discovered the group huddled on a rock in the cave’s terminal chamber. The survivors, who had not eaten for days, were in good spirits but face a challenging extraction due to high water levels and zero visibility. The cave, frequented by villagers searching for gold, was blocked by flash flooding on May 19 after heavy rains, trapping seven men inside. Authorities had previously warned against entering the cave, but the group ignored the warnings. Rescue teams, including Lao volunteers and Thai divers, have worked around the clock to locate the missing, with water pumping efforts underway to lower levels and prepare for extraction. Paasi described the moment of discovery as emotional, with the villagers crying and grabbing his hand upon seeing rescuers. Supplies, including water and power gel, were immediately provided to stabilize their condition. However, extraction remains a major hurdle—divers must navigate the flooded tunnels, and survivors will likely need scuba training to safely exit. Two villagers remain missing, and search teams continue efforts to locate them. Bounkham Luanglath of Rescue Volunteer for People stated that the remaining two could still be alive, though the cave’s dangerous conditions make recovery uncertain. Thai rescue teams arrived on Sunday to assist, bringing expertise from their 2018 cave operation. Local authorities and international teams are coordinating to ensure the survivors’ safe removal, with plans to strengthen the group before attempting extraction. The cave’s narrow, flooded passages and lack of visibility complicate efforts, but rescuers remain optimistic about recovering the remaining missing individuals.