Rescue teams from Laos and Thailand are urgently working to reach seven individuals trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, central Laos. A group entered the cave on May 19, searching for gold, but heavy rain led to flash flooding that blocked the exit.
A representative from the Laos Rescue Volunteer for People, Bounkham Luanglath, shared that one individual managed to escape prior to the blockage and notified the authorities. The remaining group members’ situation remains uncertain.
The cave, known for its narrow structure, often attracts villagers looking for gold deposits. Despite repeated warnings from authorities about the risks, the cave continues to draw local prospectors.
Thai rescuers arrived at the location on Sunday and have begun diving through the flooded sections of the cave. They aim to reach the section where they believe the group is trapped.
The Laos Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not provided any comments. Laos, governed as a one-party communist state, usually restricts information flow.
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