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Five Rescued, Two Missing After Laos Flash-Flooded Cave

5/27/2026

48 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Five villagers were rescued alive from a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, while two remain missing.
Divers who aided the 2018 Thai schoolboy rescue joined the Laos effort.
Rescuers entered on May 19 to search for gold before heavy rain caused flash flooding that blocked the exit.
Rescuers have been pumping water, navigating narrow passages and feeding the rescued men, who remain in good spirits despite extraction challenges.

History

Historical Context

The 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in northern Thailand saved twelve boys and their coach after an 18-day entrapment, involving about 90 divers, including two Thai Navy SEALs who later died. Building on that expertise, Lao officials and divers from the same international team entered flash-flooded passages in Xaisomboun province, rescuing five miners while two remain missing.

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Story summary

Five villagers were rescued alive from a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, while two remain missing.
Divers who aided the 2018 Thai schoolboy rescue joined the Laos effort.
Rescuers entered on May 19 to search for gold before heavy rain caused flash flooding that blocked the exit.
Rescuers have been pumping water, navigating narrow passages and feeding the rescued men, who remain in good spirits despite extraction challenges.

1 / 2