Rescuers in Laos are engaged in a desperate battle against the clock to save seven villagers who have been trapped inside a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province for more than a week. The group became stranded on 20 May after entering an abandoned gold mine, with heavy rain causing flash flooding that blocked their exit.
International rescue operation underway
An international search team, including Finnish specialist Mikko Paasi, who assisted in the 2018 Thai cave rescue, is leading the operation. According to Mr Paasi, the team is racing against time and was considering a final search dive into the cave's last chamber if safety conditions allowed.
Progress in pumping and clearing obstacles
Water has been pumped out of the cave by authorities and local residents, while on Tuesday, rescue crews broke through 15 metres of obstacles. The operation continues as hopes remain high for a successful rescue.
