In Laos, heavy rains hamper the search for two people who remain trapped in a flooded cave
Kyiv • UNN
Due to heavy downpours in Laos, the search for two villagers trapped in a flooded cave has been suspended. Five of their companions have already been rescued by international specialists.
Heavy rains could delay the rescue operation in Laos, where the search continues for two people who remain trapped in a flooded cave. Earlier, rescuers managed to save five of the seven missing men. This was reported by the Associated Press, according to UNN.
Details
According to rescuers, a group of villagers entered a cave in the central province of Xaysomboun last week in search of valuable minerals, but became trapped due to a flash flood. One of the men managed to get out and report the incident to the authorities. Specialists from Laos, Thailand, Finland, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, France, and Australia were involved in the operation.
Finnish diver Mikko Paasi reported that due to new rainfall, water has again flooded part of the cave, making it temporarily impossible for rescuers to advance deeper. Currently, specialists are waiting for pumps to lower the water level to continue the search.
Rescuers hope to find another chamber
According to the operation participants, the five rescued men were found in the fifth chamber of the cave system after traveling more than 200 meters underground. They are in the hospital and, according to preliminary information, are doing well.
Rescuers suggest that behind a narrow crack in the fifth chamber, there may be another, sixth chamber, where the two missing men could be located. The search operation will focus on this area once weather conditions allow work to resume.