Vang Vieng, Laos. Four men were rescued on Wednesday from a flooded cave system in northern Laos, ending a ten-day ordeal that drew international attention. The operation, led by British cave divers, was commended by Lao authorities for its precision and speed.
The men, all local residents, entered the Tham Khoun Xe cave on 15 July for a fishing expedition. Heavy monsoon rains caused flash flooding, trapping them in a chamber 400 metres from the entrance. The group survived on minimal food and clean water from the cave walls.
Rescue efforts began on 17 July, but rising water levels and strong currents prevented local teams from reaching them. On 21 July, the British Cave Rescue Council dispatched a team of four divers, including members who had participated in the 2018 Tham Luang rescue in Thailand.
The British team arrived on 23 July. They established a dive base and laid a guide line through the submerged passages. On 25 July, divers reached the trapped men. All four were found in good health, though dehydrated. The extraction began immediately.
Each man was escorted individually through the flooded sections, using a full face mask and air tank. The final man emerged at 3:27 p.m. local time. None required medical evacuation.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister Bounthong Chitmany praised the British divers as the best in the world. The team declined to comment, citing operational protocol.
Analysts note the rescue underscores the importance of international cooperation in disaster response. Laos lacks a specialised cave rescue capability, making it reliant on foreign expertise. The operation also highlights the evolving role of non-governmental rescue organisations in Southeast Asia.
The cave remains closed to the public pending a safety review. The four men have been reunited with their families.
