Sources confirm that a daring rescue operation in a remote cave system in northern Laos has once again proved the unrivalled skill of British cave divers. The rescue, which unfolded over 48 hours, involved a team of five divers from the UK who extracted a French geologist trapped 400 metres underground after a rockfall. The operation, kept secret by the Laotian government for fear of a media frenzy, was led by veteran diver Mike Thornton, whose team used specialised equipment airlifted from the UK.
Documents obtained by this paper reveal the rescue was coordinated through a backchannel between the British Embassy in Vientiane and the Lao National Rescue Committee. The geologist, Dr. Philippe Moreau, had been mapping the cave system when a section of limestone ceiling collapsed, sealing him in a chamber with limited oxygen. Thornton and his team arrived within 18 hours of the distress call, a logistical feat that sources describe as ‘nothing short of miraculous’ given the region's infrastructure.
The British team's expertise was honed over decades, from the 2018 Thai cave rescue to training programmes with the Royal Navy. Their ability to navigate tight, flooded passages in zero visibility remains unmatched. ‘No one else could have done this,’ a source close to the operation told me. ‘The Americans have the money, the Chinese have the manpower, but the Brits have the know-how.’
The rescue has reignited debate about funding for the UK's cave rescue service, which relies heavily on volunteers and charitable donations. The unit's annual budget of £1.2 million is dwarfed by what governments spend on rival teams. Yet they continue to deliver results. ‘We don't talk about it. We just do it,’ Thornton said in a brief statement after the operation.
Dr. Moreau was rescued at 3:00 a.m. local time, suffering from hypothermia and dehydration but otherwise alive. He was flown to a hospital in Luang Prabang. The British government has not officially commented, but a Foreign Office source described the rescue as ‘a testament to British skill and international cooperation.’
This is a developing story. More details on the financing of the operation and the identities of the other team members are emerging. Follow our coverage for updates.
