Vientiane, Laos. Survivors of a cave rescue operation in northern Laos have joined a British-led team to locate the last two missing men, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The development marks a significant shift in a search effort that has drawn international attention since the group became trapped last week.
The British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC) deployed a specialist unit after Laos authorities requested assistance. The team, comprising experienced cavers and medical personnel, arrived in the remote Phongsali province on Monday. By Tuesday morning, they were joined by three survivors of the initial incident, who volunteered to guide rescue workers through the treacherous underground network.
According to a statement from the BCRC, the survivors possess critical knowledge of the cave system's layout and the location where the two men were last seen. 'Their cooperation is invaluable,' said a spokesperson. 'We are working in extremely challenging conditions, and their familiarity with the terrain has already expedited our progress.'
The missing men, identified as Somchai Pholsena and Khamtai Sipaseuth, both 34, are believed to be agricultural labourers from a nearby village. They were part of a larger group of five who entered the Tham Nam Pha cave on May 12. Three others managed to escape after a sudden flood blocked their exit, prompting a desperate search.
The survivors, who have not been named, spent three days inside the cave before finding an alternative route out. They were treated for dehydration and minor injuries at a local clinic before being debriefed by officials. Their decision to re-enter the cave underscores the urgency of the rescue, despite the risks.
Rescue teams face multiple obstacles: narrow passages, rising water levels, and unstable rock formations. The BCRC team, which includes a doctor trained in underground evacuation, is working with Laotian military personnel and volunteers. Equipment such as floodlights and waterproof communications gear has been airlifted to the site.
Laos' Ministry of Interior confirmed that the operation is 'priority one'. 'We are grateful for the international support,' a ministry spokesman said. 'The British team's expertise is world-class. We remain hopeful that the missing men will be found alive.'
The cave, located in a karst region near the border with Vietnam, has been closed to the public since the incident. Authorities have warned of potential monsoon rains that could complicate efforts.
This is not the first time British cavers have been called to Laos. In 2019, a team from the BCRC assisted in rescuing a Thai football team from a flooded cave in Chiang Rai province, an operation that captivated the globe. The current mission, though smaller in scale, carries similar high stakes.
As of Tuesday evening, the search had reached a depth of 1.2 kilometres into the cave system. Rescue coordinators said they expected to reach the last known location of the missing men within 48 hours. A command centre has been established at the cave entrance, where family members of the missing have gathered, waiting for news.
The BCRC stressed that the operation remains dangerous and that no guarantees can be made. 'We are doing everything possible,' the spokesperson said. 'The survivors' return to the cave is a testament to the human spirit. But the environment is unforgiving. We proceed with caution.'
Further updates are expected as the rescue progresses.
