Race to save seven people trapped in flooded cave in Laos
Updated . First published
Rescuers are racing against time to reach seven people who have been trapped in a cave in central Laos since last week.
A group of villagers in Xaisomboun province went into the cave to look for gold on May 19, but heavy rain triggered flash flooding that blocked the exit, according to Laos and Thai rescue teams involved in the operation.
Bounkham Luanglath, who leads the Laos' Rescue Volunteer for People, told The Associated Press that one of the people from the group escaped before the exit was blocked and alerted authorities.
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Rescuers are working to save seven people trapped in a cave in Laos. Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin via AP
The status of the seven people who are trapped remains unknown.
He said the cave is a narrow chamber often visited by villagers searching for gold deposits.
He said that authorities had repeatedly warned people against entering the cave out of safety concerns.
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The group are believed to have entered the cave seeking gold. Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin via AP
State-run Lao National Radio reported that Thai rescuers arrived at the site on Sunday for assistance.
Divers have since begun navigating flooded sections of the cave toward the area where they believe the group may be trapped.
The Laos' Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment.
The south-east Asian nation is a one-party communist state with no organised opposition and the government often keeps a tight lid on information.
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