Heavy Rains Threaten Search for Two Missing in Laos Cave

Rains Flood Cave Passages in Xaisomboun Province

Heavy rains filled the cave up to the second chamber in central Laos on Sunday, blocking divers from entering until pumps lower the water level, said Finnish diver Mikko Paasi, one of the first international rescuers on site.

Seven Villagers Trapped While Seeking Minerals

The seven villagers entered the cave last week in Xaisomboun province, about 120 kilometers north of Vientiane, to search for valuable minerals before a flash flood trapped them underground. One villager escaped and alerted authorities, prompting the joint rescue effort.

Five Men Found and Evacuated This Week

Rescue teams located the five men in the fifth chamber on Wednesday. Khamla was guided out on Friday through a narrow flooded passage. Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen walked out on Saturday after water levels dropped, and all five are now recovering well at a local hospital.

Thai and International Divers Work Side by Side

Teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand have cooperated throughout the past week at the rugged site. They were joined by divers from Finland, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, France and Australia, several of whom took part in the 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand that saved 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach.

Survivors Describe Possible Sixth Chamber

The rescued men told rescuers about a narrow crack in the fifth chamber that may lead deeper into the system. Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie said the team will continue searching based on this information, after already navigating more than 200 meters and mapping five chambers.

Emotional Reunions at Cave Entrance

Videos from Saturday showed the men emerging one by one, some collapsing at the entrance where workers hugged them and cried with joy. The survivors were then placed on stretchers, wrapped in foil blankets and given oxygen before being transported for medical care.