Five Villagers Found Alive in Flooded Laos Cave, Two Still Missing

Bangkok — Five villagers trapped in a flooded cave in central Laos for more than a week were found alive Wednesday, rescuers said, though two others remain missing.

The seven entered the cave in Xaisomboun province on May 19. Heavy rain caused flash flooding that blocked the exit, according to Lao and Thai rescue teams.

A video posted by a Thai rescue group showed divers surfacing to find the five villagers sitting on a rock in floodwater, each wearing a headlamp.

Mikko Paasi, the lead diver, told CBS News correspondent Matt Gutman that his team made multiple round trips Wednesday to deliver food and supplies. Each round trip takes about four hours, with the diving portion lasting roughly 15 minutes through tight passages. The rescuers are exhausted, Paasi said, with bruised knees and elbows.

In an earlier call from inside the cave, Paasi described the five survivors as disoriented but otherwise unharmed. He said he and his partner planned to keep searching for the missing two.

Rescuers inside and outside the cave were shown cheering and embracing after the discovery.

Paasi said the preferred plan is to pump water out so the group can walk free. Concerns remain about carbon dioxide buildup in the chamber and whether the villagers can manage the difficult exit.

In a later call, Paasi expressed doubt about the pumping approach because access to deeper submerged sections is limited. The team plans to test the survivors with scuba gear on Thursday.

Paasi took part in the 2018 rescue of 12 boys and their coach from a cave in northern Thailand. He said the current team is developing a broader plan that includes pumps and more divers, but it requires government approval and liability protections.

The cave lies in a remote, mountainous area of Xaisomboun province's Longcheng district, about 75 miles north of Vientiane. Reaching the entrance requires a steep 2.5-mile hike, and the opening is narrow and rocky.

Bounkham Luanglath of the Lao group Rescue Volunteer for People said locals often entered the cave to search for gold despite repeated safety warnings from authorities.