What began as a gold-hunting expedition deep inside a remote mountain cave in Laos turned into a desperate fight for survival that has gripped rescue teams from across Asia.
Five Lao nationals have now been rescued from a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province after spending more than a week trapped underground by rising floodwaters. Rescue efforts are continuing to locate two other men who remain missing, Bangkok Post reports.
The group entered the cave on May 20 in search of gold when flash floods cut off their escape route. After days of uncertainty, rescuers located five of the seven men alive on May 27. They were found huddled together on a narrow ledge around 300 metres from the cave entrance.
The first survivor was brought out on Friday evening. Four more men were rescued on Saturday after teams managed to pump water out of parts of the cave system.
Video footage from the scene showed exhausted survivors being treated under a makeshift tent after emerging from the cave. Rescue workers wrapped them in thermal blankets before providing medical assistance.
The operation has involved volunteer rescue teams and specialist cave divers from several countries, including Thailand, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, France and Malaysia.
According to Thai rescue personnel, the evacuation has been extremely challenging. Rescuers have had to guide survivors through narrow passages stretching hundreds of metres, with some sections requiring underwater diving.
“I’m safe now”
The five rescued men had reportedly suffered from hunger and declining health during their ordeal.
One of the rescued men, identified only as Lin, sent a message to his parents from inside the cave.
“Don’t worry about me, mum. The rescuers are here. I’m safe now. I miss you mum. I miss you mum and dad. In a few days I’ll be out,” he said.
The fate of the remaining two men remains uncertain. According to one of the rescued survivors, the missing pair had travelled approximately 500 metres deeper into the cave system.
When asked whether he believed they were still alive, the survivor replied: “I’m afraid it’s too cold there.”
The rescue operation has been complicated by monsoon weather. Forecasts of further rainfall have raised concerns that additional water could enter the cave and slow the search.
Two divers who took part in the Thai rescue are now assisting the operation in Laos, working alongside local volunteers and international specialists as efforts continue to find the two missing men.
