Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSeven people became trapped in a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province, central Laos, after entering on 19 May and being cut off by heavy rain and landslides. Five of the men were located alive on Wednesday, nine days after they became trapped, but two are still missing. Thai rescue specialist Kengkard Bongkawong highlighted the extreme difficulty of extracting the five men due to narrow, partially submerged passages and the critical need for oxygen. Rescuers must navigate complex, pitch-black tunnels, some as narrow as 23 inches and completely underwater, requiring careful coordination. Teams are focused on ensuring adequate oxygen supply for the trapped men and continuing the search for the two missing individuals.In fullLaos cave rescuers say mission not over and more oxygen needed to get men out safelyThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Seven villagers entered the cave in central Laos five days ago looking for gold when heavy rain caused flash flooding, trapping them inside.

Cave rescue experts who took part in the dramatic rescue of 12 young soccer players from a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018 have joined the effort to save the stranded group.