A UK-led rescue operation has successfully extracted four men trapped for 10 days in a flooded cave system in northern Laos. The mission, coordinated by British cave divers and supported by Lao authorities, concluded on Wednesday without casualties. The men, identified as local construction workers, became stranded on 5 March after sudden heavy rains raised water levels in the Tham Khoun Xe cave complex.
The rescue involved a team of 12 international divers, including four from the UK. British diver Richard Stanton, a veteran of the 2018 Thai cave rescue, led the operation. The men were located in an air pocket 4 kilometres from the entrance.
They were extracted in stages over two days. A British embassy spokesperson described the outcome as a testament to international cooperation. The Lao government thanked the UK team for their expertise.
