Lao Cave Update: Heavy machinery used in rescue operations continues to free 5 trapped villagers —10 points | Today’s news
Lao Cave Update: Several emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were seen along the temporary 4×4 access road leading to the cave, where five villagers remained trapped, as crews transported heavy equipment to the site, according to CNN. Rescue workers, including police officers and firefighters, were also present at the scene, carrying out rescue operations.
Officials said rescue operations were hampered by heavy overnight rainfall. Search efforts are also underway to locate two other persons who remain missing. The villagers reportedly entered the cave in search of valuable minerals, according to the AP.
Lao Cave Rescue: 10 points
- Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand have been conducting joint operations last week in a cave in the mountainous Xaisomboun province, about 120 kilometers north of the capital Vientiane.
Read also | PowerChina unit sues Lao company, seeks $555 million in unpaid fees
2. The teams walked through narrow winding passages with sharp rock formations and waterlogged parts of the cave. Those involved include divers who were previously involved in the high-profile rescue of 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach in a cave in Thailand in 2018 who were trapped underground for more than two weeks.
3. The Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People said that a diver from Malaysia also joined the rescue mission. Kengkaj Bongkawong, head of Thai rescue group Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, said divers from Indonesia, Japan and France also traveled for the operation.
4. A video shot by Thai cave diver Norrased Palasing captured the emotional moment he and Finnish diving instructor Miiko Paasi emerged from the water and located the stranded men. In the footage, villagers were seen sitting on a rock in the middle of the floods, wearing headlamps inside the cave.
Read also | 67 Indians rescued from cyber fraud centers in Laos
5. According to a Lao rescue group, the five rescued villagers were identified by their first names — Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing and Laen. They were said to be in a stable condition, but severely fatigued due to dehydration and lack of food. Rescue divers later provided them with water and soft foods.
6. The men reportedly cried at the sight of the rescuers while diver Norrased Palasing inquired about their condition and well-being. In the video, the villagers introduced themselves and sent messages to reassure their families not to worry.
“Don’t worry mom and dad. I’m still strong and healthy. I’ll be home tomorrow. I love you both,” said one of the imprisoned men, introducing himself as Mued.
Read also | Texas flood rescue caught on cam as child is pulled from stranded vehicle | Watch
7. In an interview with Xaisomboun Province local television on Thursday, Bounphong Khammanyvong, a local official from Longcheng District, mentioned that villagers were stranded after heavy rains caused floods that blocked the exit of the cave. The authorities were alerted by an eighth member of the group who managed to escape. He added that the villagers entered the cave on May 20, a timeline that differs from rescuers’ accounts that said they entered on May 19.
8. A human rescue volunteer said in a Facebook post that Friday’s rescue plan included pumping water out of the cave in hopes of evacuating the five trapped villagers later in the day. But traffic was disrupted by heavy rain early in the morning.
“The cave entrance is located in a low-lying area. Whenever it rains, water flows into this area and enters the cave,” Bounphong said during an interview.
9. Lao authorities said that villagers usually depend on foraging in the mountainous and densely forested region for their livelihoods. Officials said the group entered the cave in search of possible gold deposits. Khammanyvong, where the cave is located, said villagers saw stones and sand of unusual colors in the cave and hoped the material might be valuable.
10. Rescue teams celebrated after five trapped villagers were found on Wednesday, while efforts to find the remaining two missing individuals are still ongoing.
