Trending Now - Urgent Efforts Underway to Locate Two Missing in Laos Cave
WHO:
AP News - Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie stated, “We will go into the suspected area to continue the search if the water level is lowered.”
AP News - Kengkaj Bongkawong warned that even if a suitable alternative entrance is found, “it’s going to be a very tough job,” due to difficult access and ongoing rain.
AP News - Rescue teams from countries including Finland, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, France, and Australia have joined the operation.
AP News - Two people are missing in a flooded cave in Laos.
AP News - Rescue teams from Laos and neighboring Thailand are involved in the operation.
AP News - Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie is participating in the rescue efforts.
AP News - Kengkaj Bongkawong is the head of the Thai group Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin.
WHAT:
AP News - Rescuers are searching for air shafts from above that may provide access into the cave.
AP News - Laos’s Rescue Volunteer for People group reported that heavy rain caused “massive amounts of water” to flow into the area, forcing them to suspend operations on Sunday night.
AP News - Rescuers believe the two missing people are trapped deeper inside the cave than the location where the five survivors were found.
AP News - One other villager escaped and alerted the authorities about the situation.
AP News - Two individuals have been trapped in a flooded cave for nearly two weeks.
AP News - Five of the seven people initially trapped have been rescued.
AP News - Rescuers are searching for an alternative passage into the cave.
NBC News - Rescuers are racing against time to save the last two men trapped.
WHERE:
AP News - The incident is located in Xaisomboun province, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
AP News - Rescuers are also searching around the other side of the cave.
WHEN:
AP News - The search and rescue operation began last month.
AP News - The first man was extracted on a Friday, and the remaining four were rescued on a Saturday.
WHY:
AP News - The villagers entered the cave to look for valuable minerals, such as gold, before being trapped by a flash flood.
HOW:
AP News - Kengkaj Bongkawong mentioned that the rescue operation would require not only pumping water out but also installing equipment to keep ventilating the cave’s air supply.
AP News - Kengkaj Bongkawong stated that finding a suitable alternative entrance would require not only pumping water out but also installing equipment to keep ventilating the cave’s air supply.
AP News - Workers are pumping water out of the cave to facilitate the rescue.
AP News - Rescuers are using radar scanners and satellite images to navigate the mountain.
AP News - Kengkaj Bongkawong mentioned that rescuers need to install equipment to ventilate the cave's air supply.
(UPDATED June 2, 2026 01:42 UTC)
Rescuers are currently searching for air shafts that could provide access into a cave where operations have been suspended due to heavy rain causing significant flooding in the area. Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie expressed determination to continue the search once water levels are lowered, while Kengkaj Bongkawong warned that finding a suitable entrance will be a challenging task due to difficult access and ongoing rain. The rescue operation will involve not only pumping out water but also installing equipment to ensure proper ventilation within the cave.
--
(UPDATED June 1, 2026 18:55 UTC)
Rescue teams from several countries, including Finland, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, France, and Australia, have joined the operation to locate two missing individuals believed to be trapped deeper inside a cave. The search was prompted after one villager managed to escape and alert authorities about the dire situation. According to Kengkaj Bongkawong, finding a suitable alternative entrance will involve pumping water out and installing equipment to ensure proper ventilation in the cave.
--
(UPDATED June 1, 2026 14:57 UTC)
Rescue teams from Laos and Thailand are working tirelessly to locate two individuals missing in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, where they have been trapped for nearly two weeks. So far, five of the seven people initially trapped have been rescued, and divers like Malaysian Lee Kian Lie are actively participating in the efforts, which include pumping water out of the cave and searching for alternative passages. Kengkaj Bongkawong, the head of the Thai group Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, has noted that rescuers are also using radar scanners and satellite images to navigate the challenging terrain while preparing to install equipment to ventilate the cave's air supply.