Rescue Teams Evacuate Four from Flooded Cave in Laos

In Laos, rescue teams successfully evacuated four villagers trapped in a flooded cave for ten days. This rescue occurred one day after another individual was also extracted. Two men remain unaccounted for.

Both Lao and Thai rescue groups shared updates on social media. Photos depicted the rescued individuals on stretchers, wearing oxygen masks, and wrapped in foil blankets for warmth. These villagers initially entered the cave seeking valuable minerals but found themselves trapped due to sudden flash floods. One person managed to escape early and alerted the authorities about the remaining seven villagers.

“The water level inside the cave lowered enough, allowing the divers to safely evacuate the villagers while providing food and water,” stated the Rescue Volunteer for People organization from Laos on Facebook.

Thai rescue group member Chakkit Taengtang shared a video showing the rescue operation, with the villagers covered in mud as they exited the cave. Emotional rescuers welcomed them with hugs.

The first of the group had been evacuated on Friday. That particular operation took approximately 30 minutes. Rescuers filmed the moment, showing the rescued man emerging from the water beside a diver, catching a breath, and painstakingly crawling through the narrow, flooded passage.

Initially, five villagers, identified by first names—Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing, and Laen—were found alive on Wednesday. Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand were supported by teams from Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, France, and Australia. These specialists had contributed to the challenging 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand involving 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach.

Efforts continue to locate the two missing villagers. Kengkaj Bongkawong, head of the Thai rescue group Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, disclosed plans to explore sections of the cave extending 20 to 25 meters beyond the survivors’ location, noting that this portion remains heavily submerged.