5 villagers stuck in flooded Laos cave found alive, 2 missing
KCCI • • world
Key Points:
- Five villagers trapped in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, for over a week have been found alive, while two others remain missing, according to rescuers from Laos and Thailand.
- The group entered the cave on May 19, but heavy rain caused flash flooding that blocked the exit, trapping seven people inside.
- Rescue teams, including international divers experienced from the 2018 Thai cave rescue, faced challenging terrain and weather conditions while reaching the remote cave located about 75 miles north of Vientiane.
- Videos show rescuers discovering the villagers sitting on a rock inside the cave and celebrating their survival, though the search for the two missing individuals continues.
- Authorities have not officially confirmed why the villagers entered the cave, but local reports suggest they were searching for gold despite warnings about the cave’s dangers.