Image from the flooded cave: Four men are still trapped.Image: keystone
May 30, 2026, 10:33May 30, 2026, 10:40
After the successful rescue of the first trapped gold prospector in Laos, the rescue operation in the flooded cave is set to continue soon. The remaining four survivors are still several hundred meters from the cave entrance. The rescue teams initially interrupted the evacuation on Friday evening after rescuing the first man in order to examine how to proceed.
According to the broadcaster CNN, the action should be resumed in the morning (local time). Australian cave diver Josh Richards said he and other specialists would first try to enlarge the claustrophobic tunnels to make the rescue safer. The gold seekers were surprised by floods and a landslide in the cave ten days ago. This was preceded by heavy monsoon rain.
The mission remains extremely difficult. The Laotian rescue organization Rescue Volunteer for People said water was pumped out of the cave again during the night. The men sometimes have to be led through completely flooded passages. However, you have no diving experience.
“We don’t leave anyone behind”
International specialists from several countries support the emergency services on site. The Thai rescue unit MTK reiterated on social networks: “We will not leave anyone behind.”
Well-known Finnish cave diver Mikko Paasi, who largely coordinated the rescue, wrote on social media: “Today was a good day. A life saved makes all the effort worth it. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard towards our common goal.” He also posted a video showing the rescued gold prospector named Mued being led through a narrow passage flooded with brown water.
Race against time
The search for two missing men will continue throughout the day, but so far there is no trace of them. The hope of finding her alive is considered slim.
Time is running out for the survivors: they now also have health problems. Some had skin problems because of the humidity and others had stomach and intestinal problems, said Kengkard Bongkawong from the Thai rescue team in a telephone interview with CNN. (sda/dpa)