Rescuers Close In on Seven Trapped in Laos Cave
Seven people are trapped in a flooded cave in central Laos. They have been inside for five days.
The group entered the cave on Wednesday to search for gold and hunt wildlife. Flash flooding then blocked the cave exit and trapped them inside.
Heavy rain and landslides caused the flooding. Rescuers are now about 30 metres from where the group may be sheltering.
But they face rising water and narrow passages as tight as 60 centimetres. Oxygen levels inside are also low.
A rescue leader said they do not know if the seven are still alive. Thai divers have joined the rescue effort. These divers helped save a youth football team from a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018.
Klear Note — Flash flooding in caves can trap people quickly. Narrow passages and low oxygen make cave rescues very difficult and dangerous.
Key Terms 2
- Xaysomboun province A region in central Laos in Southeast Asia
- flash flooding A sudden and fast rise in water levels caused by heavy rain