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Fresh flooding in Laos cave poses challenge for rescuing remaining villagers

Rescuers say the conditions will complicate the mission to save two remaining villagers after they successfully freed five men trapped in the cave system.

Published: 5:48pm, 1 Jun 2026

Five villagers trapped deep in a flooded cave in Laos have been freed. Their rescue from a 10-day underground ordeal relied on expert cave rescuers racing against time to guide victims through flooded passages as fresh rainfall further complicated the mission. Two others remain missing in the cave complex in central Xaysomboun province.

Fresh flooding in Laos cave poses challenge for rescuing remaining villagers

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Rescuers say the conditions will complicate the mission to save two remaining villagers after they successfully freed five men trapped in the cave system.

Rescuers say the conditions will complicate the mission to save two remaining villagers after they successfully freed five men trapped in the cave system.