Five people trapped in flooded Laos cave found alive but not free yet as rescue operations continue
Specialist divers have found five of seven people trapped for a week in a flooded cave in Laos alive, with one rescuer saying their extraction from its terminal chamber was the next challenge.
The seven Laotians entered the cave on 20 May, searching for gold in central Xaysomboun province, northeast of the capital, Vientiane, according to state media, but were trapped after heavy rain triggered flash flooding that blocked their exit.
Rescuers needed to “navigate hundreds of meters of constant restrictions, flood waters, collapse hazards and high risk of contaminated air quality” inside the cave, according to authorities.
State-run Lao Security News said rescuers would now bring food and medicine to the five survivors while continuing to search for the two missing men.
The Laos cave system, located in a remote area, extends deep underground, with multiple levels and narrow passages. The terminal chamber where the five men were found was around 300m from the exit.
SBS News is Australia’s trusted news source for the latest news from Australia and across the world.
Subscribe to the SBS News YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbsnews_au
Follow SBS News on X: https://www.twitter.com/SBSNews
Follow SBS News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sbsnews
Apple News: https://trib.al/MTx0gUe
For the latest news, visit www.sbs.com.au/news
Network Terms & Conditions: https://sbs.com.au/terms
Privacy Policy: https://sbs.com.au/privacy
Feedback or complaints: https://sbs.com.au/complaints
