Five villagers were found alive in a flooded cave in central Laos after more than a week, while two others remain missing. The group entered the cavern in Xaisomboun province on May 19, and heavy rains caused flash floods that cut the exit, trapping seven people.
Rescuers from Laos and neighboring Thailand led the operation, with teams from multiple countries assisting. A Lao volunteer group involved in the effort confirmed the survivors, and said search efforts would continue for the two missing individuals.
Video footage circulated by Thai rescuers appears to show divers emerging from the water and locating the trapped villagers, who wore headlamps and sat on a rock amid rising flood levels. Other clips show rescuers celebrating upon the discovery.
Operação de resgate e envolvimento internacional
The cave lies in Longcheng district, a remote area about 120 km north of Vientiane, in rugged terrain. Mountainous geography and persistent rain have complicated access to the site.
Reforços chegaram ao local no fim de semana, incluindo mergulhadores de diversas nações que participaram da operação. O acesso à caverna exige trilha de cerca de 4 km até a entrada, que é estreita e íngreme.
Não há confirmação oficial sobre o motivo da entrada dos moradores na caverna. A associação local afirmou que o local era procurado por pessoas que buscavam ouro, apesar de avisos formais sobre os riscos.
Entre na conversa da comunidade