TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Five people who were trapped for a week in a flooded cave in Laos were found alive on Wednesday, rescuers from Laos and Thailand said.
"We've found five people alive and all safe. There are still two people we are searching for," Rescue Volunteer for People said on social media.
The group posted a video on Facebook showing rescuers celebrating the news.
"I'm still shaking. Our team made it happen," Bounkham Luanglath, who works with the Lao rescue group, told the Associated Press news agency via a voice note.
In a separate video posted on Facebook, Thai rescuer Kengkach Bangkawong said, "At 4:30 pm, we found our target. We found five people. We are looking for the other two."
Kengkach later shared another video showing him and other rescuers hugging and cheering inside the cave.
What do we know about the people trapped in a cave in Laos?
A group of people from local villages was reportedly searching for gold when the cave's entrance became blocked on May 19 after a landslide triggered by heavy rains and flash floods.
One of the people in the group managed to escape the cave before the exit was blocked and alerted authorities, Bounkham told AFP earlier this week.
The cave is located in a remote, mountainous area of Xaisomboun province, around 125 kilometers (78 miles) northeast of the capital Vientiane. About 100 people have been involved in the rescue operation.
Heavy rains and the rugged terrain have hindered operations, rescuers working at the scene have said on social media.
Mikko Paasi, a specialist diver from Finland, said earlier on Wednesday that rescuers had to "navigate hundreds of meters of constant restrictions, flood waters, collapse hazards and high risk of contaminated air quality" in the cave.
Paasi said the cave was an "abandoned gold mine."
The rescue effort included Thai and international experts, including Kengkach, who aided in the dramatic recovery of a youth soccer team from a flooded cave in 2018.
Read: Laos Cave: Rescuers Race to Reach Group Trapped by Flood
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Laos Cave: Rescuers Race to Reach Group Trapped by Flood
2 hari lalu
Rescuers are racing to reach seven people who have been trapped in a flooded cave in central Laos for almost a week.
China Sees ASEAN Tropical Fruit Boom with Express Laos Shipment
42 hari lalu
The China-Laos railway serves as a "golden route" for tropical fruit commodities from Southeast Asian countries to enter Beijing.
Southeast Asia Grows Wary of Crypto Mining
29 November 2025
As illegal crypto mining and scam compounds proliferate across Southeast Asia, governments are discovering "cheap" power for bitcoin can mean losses.
Besides Indonesia's Whoosh, Which Countries Owe China for Infrastructure Development?
25 Oktober 2025
Like Indonesia's Whoosh project, many developing countries now face heavy debt after financing large infrastructure through Chinese loans.
Laos Coach: Indonesia's U-23 National Team Has Declined Compared to Shin Tae-yong Era
4 September 2025
Laos U-23 National Team coach Ha Hyeok-jun assessed the strength of the Indonesian U-23 National Team, coached by Gerald Vanenburg.
Indonesia U-23 Held to 0-0 Draw by Laos in 2026 Asian Cup Qualifier
3 September 2025
The U-23 Indonesian national team dominated possession with 70 percent compared to Laos' 30 percent in their 2026 Asian Cup qualifier.
Indonesia vs Laos: Prediction Ahead of 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualifier
3 September 2025
The match between Indonesia and Laos will take place at Gelora Delta Stadium on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM.
Thailand-Cambodia Armed Clash at Disputed Border Leaves Two Civilians Dead
24 Juli 2025
Thailand and Cambodia are once again involved in an armed clash in the disputed border area, resulting in the death of two civilians and triggering a diplomatic crisis between the two countries.
8 Landlocked Countries in Asia, Including Laos
11 Februari 2025
This article explores the list of landlocked countries in Asia, each with their significant history and latest international dynamics.
Indonesia Held to 3-3 Draw by Laos in 2024 AFF Cup; Marselino Ferdinan Sent Off
12 Desember 2024
The Indonesian National Team was held to a 3-3 draw by Laos in their Group B match of the 2024 AFF Cup.
