Tag: Cave

Five Of Seven Trapped In Laos Cave Found Healthy And In Good Spirits

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 -- Five of the seven people trapped inside a flooded cave in Laos for about a week are alive, healthy and in good spirits, although rescuers say the extraction operation remains difficult and dangerous. One of the Thailand-based divers involved in the mission, Mikko Paasi, said the five survivors were found in the terminal chamber of the cave after days of intensive search efforts by rescue teams. Posting on Facebook, Paasi said the operation had been “far from easy” and praised all teams involved in the rescue mission. “After a week of hard teamwork, we finally found five of the missing seven miners trapped in a Laotian flooded mine. “For me and @benzscout (Norrased Palasing), we need to dive straight back and bring the miners more supplies to help them regain strength and get ready for the way out,” the Finnish diver wrote. Paasi, one of the rescuers involved in the dramatic 2018 rescue of 12 boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in northern Thailand, added that the extraction operation was still ahead and is not going to be easy. Sharing his relief after the discovery, Paasi wrote: “Those who say it can’t be done, shouldn’t interrupt people doing it. What a feeling!” Attached to the post was a video showing the five survivors being asked their names and about their condition, with most replying that they were fine but hungry. Earlier, the head of the Thai rescue team, Kengkard Bongkawong, said: “As of 4.30 pm (0930 GMT), we found five people. We will continue searching for the other two,” Reuters reported. Meanwhile, another Thai volunteer rescuer, Chakrakrit Taengtung, also posted a video on Facebook showing Norrased and Paasi with the five survivors cheering and raising their arms in the air. Seven Laotian villagers were reported to have entered a cave in central Xaysomboun province and became trapped on May 20 after water levels began to rise, media reports said. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Five of the seven people trapped inside a flooded cave in Laos for about a week are alive, healthy and in good spirits, although rescuers say the extraction operation remains difficult and dangerous. One of the Thailand-based divers involved in the mission, Mikko Paasi, said the five survivors were found […]

Seven Laotians still trapped in cave, rescue operation continues

PHNOM PENH, May 26 -- Rescue teams are still trying to rescue seven villagers from a remote village in Phonxay district, Xaysomboun province, central Laos who have been trapped in a flooded cave for almost six days. Vientiane Times reported that the victims, believed to be illegally mining gold, were trapped in the cave on May 20 after the water level began to rise. "The rescue operation is very challenging as the water level in the cave continues to rise due to continuous rain." "Lao and Thai rescue teams are working non-stop to reach trapped villagers." "However, flooding, challenging terrain and bad weather slowed down operations and forced rescuers to act with caution," said Vice Chairman of the Xaysomboun Provincial Administrative Committee, Phetsamai Phoxayavong, on Monday, according to the Vientiane Times. He is also the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Committee. Experts said the cave is believed to be over 100 metres deep, while its steep entrance posed a major challenge for rescue workers. The monsoon that is currently hitting the country has brought heavy rains and hampered rescue efforts due to still high water levels, while difficult road conditions are also complicating operations. Phetsamai said that as of 8pm Monday, preparations were underway for another rescue attempt despite facing various challenges. -- BERNAMA

PHNOM PENH, May 26 — Rescue teams are still trying to rescue seven villagers from a remote village in Phonxay district, Xaysomboun province, central Laos who have been trapped in a flooded cave for almost six days. Vientiane Times reported that the victims, believed to be illegally mining gold, were trapped in the cave on […]