Five gold miners trapped inside a flooded cave system in Laos are found alive after more than a week underground, according to multiple outlets. The men entered cave passages in Xaisomboun province to search for gold, but heavy rains triggered a flash flood that trapped them in tight, narrow areas. Rescuers and divers later locate the group and begin efforts to free those who can be reached. Reports describe a gradual shift in conditions as water levels recede, allowing passage through submerged sections and enabling exits for some miners. The first miner is reported to emerge covered in mud after navigating murky waters and tight passageways. Subsequent rescues free additional men using divers and by moving through areas where water has lowered enough for crawling or direct egress. While several miners are freed, not all remain accounted for. Several sources say two miners remain missing and face continued difficult conditions inside the cave. The rescue operation is described as complex and time-consuming, involving specialist diving, water management, and careful extraction from constrained underground spaces. Attention is also drawn in reporting to the risks associated with informal gold mining in the region.