7 Trapped in Lao Cave; International Rescue Team from Tham Luang Cave Operation Rushes to Search

In a remote gold mine cave in Xaysomboun Province, central Laos, seven villagers who entered the mountains for gold mining and hunting have been trapped for over a week due to a landslide caused by heavy rain. A team that participated in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand has accepted the challenge again. They are currently crawling through narrow tunnels only 60 centimeters wide, racing against time. According to the Helsingin Sanomat, the seven villagers were cut off after a landslide blocked the exit. Finnish diver Mikko Paasi, who participated in the Thai cave rescue, rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. Paasi noted on social media that the location is extremely remote, requiring a 5-kilometer hike through the jungle just to reach the cave entrance. The tunnels are flooded, rocky, and have thin air. If safety conditions permit, they will search the final chamber today. A villager who escaped earlier reported that the trapped individuals might be hiding on higher, dry ground. Large pumps have been installed, and temporary network lines have been laid. Thai diver Kengkard Bongkawong, also a veteran of the 2018 operation, said the narrowest point is only 50 centimeters, requiring them to tilt their bodies at a 45-degree angle to squeeze through. Research from the Stimson Center indicates that gold mining in Laos has increased significantly, often involving informal operations with high safety risks. The rescue team is working to drain the water to save the villagers before the next rainy season begins.