Rescuers work to free 4 men who remain trapped in flooded Laos cave and search for 2 still missing

Rescue divers in Laos on Friday night safely evacuated the first of five local villagers who had been trapped in a cave for more than a week by floodwaters.

This image made from the video provided by Benz Norrased Palasing Seascout Diving shows rescuers speaking to the villagers who were trapped and found in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. (Benz Norrased Palasing Seascout Diving via AP)

This image released by Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, Rescuers evacuate the first of five villagers, center, who had been trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin via AP)

This video grab provided by Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, shows rescuers evacuating the first of five villagers, center, who had been trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin via AP)

This video grab provided by the Association Of Volunteers For Lao People, shows rescuers evacuating the first of five villagers, center, who had been trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Association Of Volunteers For Lao People via AP)