Trapped villagers freed from Laos cave after 10 days underground, two remain missing
There have been screams of joy and emotional reunions as a group of trapped cavers in Laos have emerged alive after more than a week underground— exhausted, injured, but safe.
But two villagers remain missing as the rescue mission continues.
A group of five was found alive Wednesday, huddled on a rock in an underground chamber, in the central province of Xaisomboun, north of the capital Vientiane.
Australian diver Josh Richards was there for the moment the first villager was freed from the cave on Friday evening, after he spent 10 days trapped in what rescuers described as a “claustrophobic hell.”
His hands were wounded, his steps unsteady, his body smeared in mud as he was helped towards waiting medics.
“He was obviously very cold, very tired — but in very good condition,” Richards told 7NEWS.
On Saturday evening came the moment a multinational rescue team from at least five countries had been waiting for. Four more villagers were freed.
The four men had been stranded on small ledges deeper inside the system. Rescuers passed them food, water and blankets overnight and taught them how to use the breathing gear they needed to survive the journey out.
A video revealed the moment the four men were rescued and stepped into the sunlight on Saturday. Shouts of jubilation, clapping and a sigh of relief can be heard from the dozens of people on the ground as muddy-covered villagers walked free from the cave.
The newly rescued group are in good health and are being treated by medical staff after their days-long ordeal.
Images show the group wrapped in blankets to warm up after 10 days underground.
The ordeal began on May 20, when seven local villagers entered the caves searching for gold and bats. Heavy rain flooded the tunnels, and landslides sealed the entrance.
However, the major operation is continuing as rescuers still haven’t been able to locate the remaining two.
“As soon as it starts to rain, we see that water line rise very quickly,” Richards said.
“That’s part of the reason these guys were trapped in the first place.”
Sharp rocks and tight passages mean ropes, cables and pipes are constantly at risk of snapping.
“Getting to that first chamber is essentially grinding your face through mud and water,” Richards said.