Man rescued after more than a week trapped in flooded cave in Laos


Rescuers have begun removing miners trapped in a flooded cave in Laos for more than a week, with video showing the efforts as they ran late into the night local time.

Footage shared on social media late Friday local time showed a rescued man, who appeared weak and disheveled, being propped up as he emerged from a narrow crevice before being taken to waiting medical assistance. Moments earlier, rescuers had been guiding him through a water-filled tunnel, crawling on their hands and knees while wearing breathing apparatus.

Kengkard Bongkawong, President of the Mettatham Association Rescue Unit, confirmed that one person had been rescued, and that four remained inside and “are awaiting further assessment.” All the men located by the rescue team are “quite weak,” Bongkawong said.

Seven people are thought to have entered the mazelike cave network in Laos’ Xaisomboun Province on May 19 to look for gold, becoming trapped when heavy rain and flash flooding blocked the entrance to the cave.

A man is rescued from a cave in Laos on May 29, 2026.
A man is rescued from a cave Friday in Laos.Mettatham Association Rescue Unit

Specialist divers located five of the men huddled together on a rock on Wednesday, capturing the moment of their discovery on video after navigating through the claustrophobic, muddy water-filled cave.

It is unclear where the two remaining men are.

The men on the rock had ripped clothes and dirty faces, seemingly stunned that they had been found alive. One told the camera: “Don’t worry about me, ⁠mum. The rescuers are here. I’m safe now.”

The flooding has complicated the rescue efforts, with specialists working to pump water out of the cave ahead of Friday’s mission.

Thai rescue diver Norrased Palasing had said on Wednesday that getting the men out of the cave would not be easy, with initial efforts to bring in supplies and let the men get some energy back.

Bongkawong said Friday evening that the search for the remaining two missing individuals “will continue tomorrow.” All rescue personnel have been withdrawn for the day, according to Chakkrit Taengtang, a Thai member assisting the rescue operation.

The specialist Thai volunteers leading the search effort include a ‌diver who took part ⁠in the famous 2018 rescue of 12 boys and ⁠their soccer coach from a flooded cave in northern Thailand.



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