Four Trapped Miners Freed from Flooded Laos Cave

Four men trapped in a flooded Laos cave for 10 days were freed Saturday, a day after another was rescued. The seven villagers sought gold in Xaysomboun province before flash floods hit on 20 May. Only five were found alive; two remain missing. The cave’s narrow passages (some 50cm wide) complicated rescue. The four were rescued at 15:10 local time, greeted with cheers as they emerged, showing emotional relief. One smiled, others cried in embraces with rescuers. They received medical attention under foil blankets. Initial plans to pump out water failed, with a last resort of teaching them to scuba dive discussed before the successful rescue. An unverified video shows the joyful rescue moment.