Four men have been rescued from a cave in northern Laos after being trapped for 10 days, in an operation that involved British divers and local authorities. The men, part of a group exploring the Tham Nam cave in Luang Prabang province, were freed on Thursday evening local time. Two British cave divers were among those who located the group on Wednesday and assisted in their extraction.
The rescue effort has been described as the largest underground operation ever conducted in Laos, with over 100 personnel involved. The men were said to be in stable condition and were taken to a local hospital for observation. British Ambassador to Laos, John Pearson, praised the divers' contribution as "
an example of the best of British expertise and international cooperation." The cave, known for its complex chambers and seasonal flooding, had been closed to tourists. Investigations into whether the group had permission to enter the cave are ongoing.
Deputy Governor of Luang Prabang, Somsavath Phongsa, noted that the rescue would inform future regulations for caving permits in the region.
