Gold Miners Rescued from Narrow Cave in Laos as Two Remain Missing

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Flooding in Laos trapped seven people in a cave several days ago. After ten days, five were rescued and two remain missing. The group entered the cave around May 19 or 20 to search for gold and other minerals. Heavy rain triggered a flash flood, submerging the cave and blocking their exit. A rescue operation involving teams from several countries was deployed. The five survivors were found alive on Wednesday, huddled on rocky edges in a chamber about 300 metres from the entrance. However, they could not be immediately extracted. Rescue teams provided water, soft food, and blankets to sustain them. A villager who escaped alerted authorities to the remaining people. One person was extracted from the cave on Friday, May 29, 2026, with four more rescued the following day. Laos and Thailand rescue teams shared images of the men being carried out on stretchers. They were covered in mud, wearing oxygen masks, and wrapped in foil blankets. Some appeared to have fainted upon exiting before being embraced by rescuers. Rescuers described the dangerous conditions in the waterlogged tunnel, with near-zero visibility and a 25-metre narrow section that was difficult to navigate, according to Al Jazeera on Sunday, May 30, 2026. A further rescue mission is imminent to search for the two missing individuals. Rescue teams are preparing to enter deeper sections of the cave, 20-25 metres beyond where the survivors were found, which remain flooded. Cave mining is a common activity for residents of Xaisomboum province. Officials state that locals often seek livelihoods by prospecting and entering caves for gold, despite repeated warnings about the risks.