Survivors Found: Five Missing Residents Discovered Alive in Flooded Laos Cave, Endured with Headlamps On

Trapped by Floodwaters, Cave Exit Blocked
Food and Water Delivered as Rescue Prepared
Search Ongoing for 2 Missing Residents

In Laos, five out of seven residents trapped in a cave flooded by heavy rain were found alive after eight days.

Five local residents trapped in a cave in the Longjang area of Sayxomboun Province, central Laos, were found alive by rescue teams eight days after going missing. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Five local residents trapped in a cave in the Longchang area of Xaysomboun Province, central Laos, were found alive by rescue teams eight days after going missing. Photo by AP Yonhap News Agency

According to AP News on May 28 (local time), Lao and Thai rescue teams discovered five survivors sitting on rocks inside the cave after a diving search the previous day. In the footage released, men wearing headlamps are seen gathering on rocks inside the flooded cave.

Thai rescue worker Chakit Tengtang stated in a video filmed inside the cave, "Divers are delivering food and water to the survivors, and rescue operations are planned to proceed as quickly as possible."

All the survivors are reportedly men. The video also captured rescue workers embracing and cheering both inside and outside the cave upon hearing the news of the rescue.

Bounkham Luanglat, a Lao rescue worker who took part in the operation, told AP News, "I'm still shaking. Our team made it."

On May 19, seven residents who had entered a cave in Sayxomboun Province, central Laos, became trapped inside after torrential rain caused flash floods and inundation, blocking the exit.

One resident who had entered the cave at the time managed to escape when the cave started flooding and subsequently informed the authorities of those still trapped inside.

Divers who participated in the 2018 rescue of a youth soccer team trapped in a cave in northern Thailand also joined this search effort.

Mikko Paasi, a Finnish diving instructor who took part in the 2018 rescue, said via social media, "The survivors are healthy and in good mental condition," but added, "The rescue operation will not be easy."

The cave where the incident occurred is located in the mountainous Longchang area, about 120 kilometers north of the capital Vientiane. The rescue team reported that rugged terrain and heavy rainfall are making the rescue operation difficult.

According to video footage released by the Thai rescue team, approximately four kilometers of steep mountain trail must be traversed to reach the cave entrance, which itself is so narrow and rocky that only one person can barely pass through at a time.

The circumstances under which the residents entered the cave have not been confirmed. However, local rescue teams explained that some residents frequently entered the cave to search for gold, despite safety warnings.

The rescue teams are currently continuing the search for the remaining two people who are still missing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.