Rescue teams find five of seven trapped in Laos cave

Rescue teams have found five of seven Lao nationals trapped in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, central Laos. The group entered the cave last week, but their exit was blocked by a landslide following heavy rain. The five survivors were found alive on Wednesday by Lao and Thai rescue teams. Search efforts are ongoing for the two remaining missing individuals. A Thai rescuer involved in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue operation is part of the current search.

Five villagers have been found alive after being trapped for a week in a flooded cave in Laos' central province of Xaysomboun. The group had entered the cave last Wednesday in search of gold and wildlife, but were unable to exit due to heavy rain and landslides blocking the entrance. Two other villagers who were with the group remain missing. Lao and Thai rescue teams, including cave divers, conducted the operation, navigating narrow and muddy passages. The search for the two missing individuals is ongoing.

Five villagers who were trapped in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, for over a week have been found alive. The group entered the cave on May 19th, but heavy rains caused flash flooding that blocked their exit. Rescue efforts, involving Lao and Thai teams, located five individuals sitting on a rock surrounded by water. However, two other villagers remain missing, and the search for them continues. The cave is located in a remote, mountainous area, and rescue operations have been hampered by challenging terrain and ongoing heavy rain. While the reason for the villagers entering the cave is unconfirmed, it is reportedly frequented by residents searching for gold, despite authorities' warnings about safety concerns.

A search operation for seven villagers trapped in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, entered its seventh day on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The villagers entered the cave on May 19, but heavy rain caused flash flooding that blocked their exit. Rescuers, including teams from neighboring Thailand, are facing challenging mountainous terrain and persistent rain, which are hampering their efforts to reach the group. Divers have navigated about 100 meters into the cave, with villagers believed to be trapped approximately 30 meters further. The villagers were reportedly in the cave searching for gold deposits, despite authorities' warnings about safety concerns. The Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People is exploring air shafts as a potential access point.

Seven people are trapped in a flooded cave in Laos' central Xaysomboun province after entering on Wednesday to search for gold and wildlife. Rain and landslides blocked the cave's entrance, preventing their escape. A survivor who managed to get out alerted authorities. Rescue efforts are underway, with cave divers navigating narrow, flooded passageways. Experts who participated in the 2018 Thai cave rescue are assisting the operation. Rescuers are working to pump water out of the cave, which is known to be frequented by villagers seeking gold and features extremely narrow chambers.

Seven people have been trapped for five days in a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province, central Laos, after heavy rain caused landslides that blocked the entrance. Divers who participated in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand have joined the effort to free the group, who reportedly entered the cave to hunt for wildlife and search for gold. Rescuers are facing challenges due to the cave's narrow, flooded passageways and sharp rocks, with one tunnel being only 60cm tall. Experts are working to pump water out while inside teams fit ropes. Despite not receiving signs of life, rescuers are hopeful the trapped individuals are alive due to a reported air pocket deeper in the cave.

A search for seven villagers trapped in a flooded cave in Laos has entered its sixth day. The group was prospecting for gold when they became trapped in central Xaysomboun province. Heavy rains caused a landslip that struck the cave, and three members of the group were found dead earlier. Thai cave rescue teams have joined the ongoing mission, sharing images of the difficult conditions, including a flooded, narrow tunnel. The incident underscores the risks associated with the rush for gold driven by surging prices, particularly in unstable hillside mines.