The villagers reportedly entered the cave nearly two weeks ago to look for valuable minerals such as gold before being trapped by a flash flood that blocked their way out.

Rescue workers in Laos have worked to safely free villagers trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days. On Friday, the first of five detected survivors was evacuated.

The five are among seven Lao nationals who had entered the cave to prospect for gold, but were trapped for more than a week when rising water blocked their exit.