An Australian specialist cave diver is taking part in an international rescue effort in central Laos to reach people trapped in a flooded cave after heavy rain cut off access. Several outlets report that a team from multiple countries has been flown into Laos and entered the cave in Xaysomboun province, where the men became trapped during a trip that involved hunting wildlife and searching for gold. Heavy rain and related damage, including flooding and a landslide, blocked the cave entrance.
Reports agree that five of the trapped men have been located alive, while two others remain unaccounted for. Specialist divers are involved in the extraction, which is described as extremely challenging due to flooded and inundated passageways. Some rescuers have experience from major past cave incidents.
Australian media also say that the first rescued man was freed as the operation intensified, and that Australian diver Josh Richards later leaves Laos to return to Australia after helping for multiple days. The rescue continues as teams work to locate and extract the remaining trapped men.
