Seven Laos Villagers Trapped in Flooded Cave for a Week; Fate Unknown

Seven villagers in Laos have been trapped in a flooded cave for about a week after heavy rains caused flash floods. Their condition is currently unknown. Divers from Thailand and Finland have joined Laos rescue teams to reach the group.

Tue May 26 2026

Seven Laos Villagers Trapped in Flooded Cave

Seven villagers in Laos have reportedly been trapped inside a flooded cave for nearly a week after going in to search for gold. Heavy rains led to flash floods that blocked the cave's exit in the Xaisomboun region, cutting off the group. Their current condition and whether they are still alive remain unclear. One member of the group managed to escape before the floods completely blocked the exit and alerted authorities to those who were trapped.

International Rescue Teams Join Search Effort

Divers from Thailand and Finland have joined Laos rescue teams in a race against time to reach the trapped group. Several members of the current rescue crew were also involved in the dramatic 2018 cave rescue of 12 Thai boys and their football coach in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Their expertise is hoped to aid in the challenging rescue operation.

*Source: YouTube: CNN (2026-05-26)*

Tags: #라오스 #동굴사고 #홍수 #수색구조 #자이사옴분 #news