Survivors of a cave flooding incident in northern Laos have joined the search for two remaining missing men, as a British-supported rescue mission enters its third day, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The operation, coordinated by the Lao government with logistical support from the UK’s International Search and Rescue team, is focused on the Tham Nam Non cave system in Luang Prabang province. Seven members of a group of nine foreign and local cavers were rescued on Tuesday after rising waters trapped them for nearly 48 hours.
The two missing individuals, a British national and an Australian, are believed to be in a deeper section of the cave. Rescuers have pumped water from the main chamber and deployed drones with thermal imaging to map the narrow passages.
Lao Deputy Minister of Public Security, General Phoune Thephavong, stated that survivors have provided detailed accounts of the group’s route prior to the flash flood. Their assistance, he said, has been invaluable in narrowing the search area.
“The survivors have offered precise recollections of where the two men separated from the group,” General Phoune said in a briefing. “We are now focusing on a series of side tunnels that were not fully explored before the flood.”
British experts from the UK’s Fire and Rescue Service, who have experience in flood-sifting and confined-space operations, are mentoring local teams. The UK embassy in Vientiane confirmed that a crisis team has been deployed to support the families of those involved.
Conditions inside the cave remain challenging. Rescuers face low visibility, fast-moving water, and narrow passages that require specialised diving equipment. The search has been halted overnight due to safety concerns, but will resume at first light.
The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, which involved complex diving operations and international cooperation. However, officials caution that the Laotian cave system presents distinct difficulties, including geological instability and limited access points.
The British government has offered consular assistance to the families of the missing. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are in close contact with the Lao authorities and are providing all appropriate support. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Local villagers have joined the rescue effort, carrying supplies and equipment to the cave entrance. The search remains a priority for the Lao government, which has faced pressure to improve safety standards for adventure tourism in the wake of the accident.
The missing men were part of a guided expedition organised by a Vientiane-based tour company. The company has declined to comment, citing the ongoing rescue operation.
As the search continues, the presence of survivors assisting in the effort has offered a glimmer of hope. “They know the layout and the dangers,” said one rescuer. “Every detail helps bring us closer to finding their friends.”
