four rescued from flooded Laos cave, two still missing

Bangkok: Rescuers in Laos safely evacuated four villagers trapped in a flooded cave for 10 days, following the rescue of another man a day earlier. Two villagers remain missing, and search operations are continuing in difficult conditions. 

The group had reportedly entered the cave in Xaisomboun to search for valuable minerals before flash floods blocked their exit. Five survivors were located alive on Wednesday and were supplied with water, food and thermal blankets while rescue efforts were organised. Teams from Laos, Thailand, Japan and Malaysia, along with specialists from other nations, joined the operation. Rescuers plan to search deeper sections of the cave despite flooded passages and near-zero visibility. —AP