Rescuers work to drain flooded Laos cave to free 5 villagers and search for 2 still missing

Rescuers are working to drain a flooded cave in Laos' Xaisomboun province to free five villagers trapped for over a week. The villagers entered the cave to search for valuable minerals, but heavy rains caused flooding, blocking their exit. Divers discovered the five alive on Wednesday, but two others remain missing. An international team of rescue experts, including divers experienced in a 2018 Thai cave rescue, are collaborating on the operation. Overnight rain has complicated efforts to pump water out of the cave. The five rescued villagers were found in good health but dehydrated, and have received food and water.

An international team, including Australian cave diver Josh Richards, is working to rescue seven people trapped in a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province, Laos. The group entered the cave over a week ago to hunt wildlife and search for gold, but heavy rains blocked the entrance. Five individuals have been found alive, but two remain unaccounted for. Rescuers face challenges including low oxygen, ongoing rain, and the survivors' lack of dive experience. The cave is described as a smaller, more confined environment than the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue, with unstable mud walls creating extremely low visibility underwater. Divers are being flown in from various countries to assist in extracting the survivors and searching for the missing.

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.

Five villagers who were trapped in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, for over a week have been found alive, according to rescuers. The group entered the cave on May 19, but heavy rains caused flash flooding that blocked their exit, trapping seven people. Lao and Thai rescue teams, including divers, were involved in the operation. While five villagers were located safely, two others remain missing, and the search for them continues. The cave is in a remote, mountainous area, and rescue efforts have been hampered by difficult terrain and weather. Villagers reportedly frequented the cave in search of gold, despite warnings from authorities about safety concerns.

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.

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.