Here's the latest
• Rescue underway: One survivor was safely guided out of a remote cave in Laos after villagers became trapped there over a week ago. Specialist cave divers on a multinational team are racing to free them.
• On the ground: CNN is reporting exclusively from the scene, and rescue divers inside the cave were heard screaming “they are coming out” during a phone interview with CNN on Friday night local time.
• Fight for survival: Five of the villagers were found huddled together in a pitch-black chamber above the murky waters. The men appear mostly well but have shared fears about remaining in the cave for much longer as they endure severe hunger. Two other people believed to have entered the cave are still missing.
• Perilous conditions: The stranded men are over 800 feet (more than 200 meters) from the cave’s entrance, which slopes downward at a 45-degree gradient.
A dramatic rescue operation in central Laos is unfolding. Here's the latest
A dramatic rescue operation is unfolding inside a flooded cave in central Laos, where a group of five villagers became trapped underground, as divers race against time and freezing conditions to bring them up safely.
CNN has been reporting exclusively from the scene.
One survivor was brought out of the flooded chamber late Friday evening, guided by a rescue diver of a multinational team. Four others remain inside and are awaiting assessment before evacuation, Kengkad Bongkawong, the head of the Metta Tham Kalasin Rescue, wrote on Facebook.
Police officers and other emergency workers are waiting alongside several ambulances, ready to transport him and any injured villagers who are brought out of the cave.
The challenges:
- The journey to the entrance is slow and dangerous, with experienced divers taking up to two hours to navigate the full route.
- Rescuers inside the cave have been training the trapped villagers to use diving equipment, helping them into wetsuits and teaching them how to move through the submerged passages by holding onto the legs of expert divers guiding them through the darkness.
- Conditions underground are perilous: The water is ice cold, visibility is poor and tight flooded chambers — some measuring only just 60 centimeters (about 24 inches), the width of an average refrigerator — leave little room for error.
Officials say that five men ventured into the cave over a week ago, drawn by the promise of gold deposits.
A torrential downpour caused flash flooding inside the cave system and sealed the men’s exit. Two others are thought to have entered the cave earlier, unconnected to the five, and are still missing. The search for the two remaining missing persons will resume Saturday.
CNN’s Laura Sharman and Kocha Olarn contributed reporting.
JUST IN: First survivor is out of flooded cave in Laos, rescue diver says
One person has been safely brought out of the cave, one of the rescuers says.
Four others remain inside and are awaiting assessment before evacuation, Kengkad Bongkawong wrote on Facebook.
The search for the two remaining missing persons will resume tomorrow.
Rescuers are having to teach trapped villagers how to dive out of the cave themselves
Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie told CNN today that a key concern remaining among rescuers attempting to free villagers inside the cave in central Laos is bad visibility, as well as high water levels.
Rescue divers are teaching the villagers how to dive out of the cave themselves, as the space is narrow and the water levels are not coming down despite efforts to pump the water out, Lee said in an interview.
Lee added that villagers will hold onto the leg of a diver in front of them to help drag them through the cave system.
Toward the end of the seven-minute interview, voices behind Lee could be heard saying “they are coming out.”
Survivor now making their way through cave, rescuer says
One survivor has made it through the flooded chamber and is now going through the rest of the cave, a rescue diver says.
The news came from Kengkad Bongkawong via Facebook, one of the multinational team involved in the operation. But it could be some time before they emerge at the cave’s entrance, as it takes a strong diver two hours to navigate the cave in its entirety.
We’ll bring you more on this as we get it.
"They are coming out!" rescue diver yells on phone during CNN interview before hanging up
Rescue divers inside the cave in central Laos where seven villagers are trapped were heard shouting “they are coming out” during a phone interview with CNN on Friday night local time.
In a seven-minute interview with CNN, Malaysian diver Lee Kian Lie said rescuers divers were in the process of teaching those located how to use diving equipment.
Toward the end of the interview, voices behind Lee could be heard saying “they are coming out.”
Lee then asks “they are coming out?” before other rescuers are heard confirming “they are coming out.” Lee then hangs up.
It is unclear how many villagers Lee was referring as “coming out” or when this will happen, but five villagers in the cave are currently accounted for while two others remain missing.
Villagers prepare feast for rescuers working to bring loved ones home
Families prepared a feast for the team working to rescue their loved ones still awaiting help deep inside a cave in central Laos.
Boon Meexai, whose brother is among the five trapped, said the community cooked fried eggs, fried drumsticks and fish paste and delivered it to the team Friday, as their latest efforts to bring the men back to the surface began.
“Never in my life (have I experienced an incident like this), and this is very hard on us. I want them to rescue the other two people safely. Please stay and help because we don’t have money or resources,” Meexai said.
More supplies arrive at cave entrance as night falls
As night falls near the entrance to the cave where seven villagers are trapped, CNN witnessed more heavy machinery and motorbikes ferrying supplies, including food and water, toward the cave.
At the beginning of the makeshift road to the cave, a small number of police officers and other emergency workers are waiting alongside several ambulances, ready to transport any injured villagers should they be extracted from the cave.
Some rescuers who have been at the cave have also come down to rest in a small village near the start of the road. Some have set out hammocks while others rest in trucks.
"I can't sleep because he's still inside," wife of trapped villager tells CNN
The wife of one of the man trapped inside a remote Laos cave told CNN she can’t sleep while her husband is still stuck, but that she is overjoyed at the prospect of him being rescued.
Samorn Ian, 37, is the wife of Kamla Ian, one of the men who became trapped nine days ago while searching for valuable gold deposits after unexpected flash flooding blocked off the cavern’s exit. He is one of the five who have been found by a rescue team, while two more remain missing.
Amid an incredibly tricky extraction operation underway on Friday to bring the found men aboveground, Kamla said she was feeling “overjoyed” and the “happiest I’ve ever been.”
She continued, “The only thing I’m worried about is the weather. If it rains again, the water level will rise. I just want them to pump the water out as quickly as possible.”
She said that her husband had once served in the country’s military, and it was the fourth time he had gone looking for gold.
“But just knowing he’s alive in there makes me happy, because people are helping him,” she added.
Sister of trapped villager says she is happy her community received help for rescue effort
Luen Meethong said she held onto hope when she learned her brother was stranded underground, after heavy rains swept through their village in central Laos.
Meethong said her brother, Lan, had only recently begun prospecting for gold — the reason he entered the cave with others — when tragedy struck.
“I’m very happy right now because we got help,” she told CNN from the rescue site, where the community eagerly awaits the men’s return.
According to Meethong, gold panning is uncommon and only started recently in the remote village.
“My brother is an electrician,” she said. “When he came home, he saw people gathering to go, so he went with them. We don’t have money.”
She also expressed gratitude to Thai rescuers working to bring the men to safety and said she had faith that neighboring Thailand would come to their aid. “We want to say thank you for your help,” she added.
Hope amid a perilous moment: Here's the latest from the scene
As the rescue operation to extract the trapped villagers from the cave kicks into high gear, there is a sense of hope for family members — but it’s also a very dangerous situation, according to CNN’s Will Ripley, who is reporting exclusively from the scene.
Who are the men trapped in the Laos cave?
The men are local villagers who went into the cave last week in search of gold deposits within the cave system, according to Laos officials.
Two are thought to have entered the cave earlier, unconnected to the five who were found on Wednesday.
Rescuers say the men are familiar with the cave system and would have known to retreat to its chambers and elevated ledges when the water started rising.
Thai diver Kengkard Bongkawong earlier told CNN that the five villagers found on Wednesday are in the “safest spot” inside the cave.
When rescue teams found the five, they reported their condition to be weak and very hungry. Throughout their ordeal, they have eaten, slept and survived entirely within the cave, at risk of further flash floods and illness.
But rescuers have also assessed the men to be strong enough to climb out themselves with support from the teams, if they are able to pump enough water out of the cave.
The villagers were able to send messages to their families from inside the cave. One of the trapped men, who gave his name as Ing, said into the rescuers’ camera:
Some of the men have since shared their fears about remaining in the cave for much longer.
Another man, who said his name was Ee, said he is suffering with chest pain and was coughing continuously.
Five of the seven villagers trapped in a flooded cave in Laos sent messages to their families after rescuers found them alive.
Heavy machinery is involved in rescue operations
On a makeshift 4x4 road leading to the cave where seven villagers are trapped, CNN saw several emergency vehicles, including ambulances, and witnessed crews moving heavy machinery up the road.
Emergency personnel including police officers and firefighters were also visible at the scene.
Earlier on Friday, a truck carrying foreign volunteer rescuers briefly stopped at the entrance of the makeshift road before continuing up towards the cave.
It is difficult to overstate the remoteness of the operation. To get to the site, CNN’s team took flights into the country before embarking on a 45-minute helicopter journey, a 30-minute drive and then a short hike across rugged terrain.
Rescuers attempting to reach fourth chamber of cave
Rescuers are attempting to reach the fourth chamber of the remote Laos cave network, more than 260 meters (853 foot) from the entrance, as the extremely risky process of evacuating survivors gets underway, the president of the Lao People’s Volunteer Association told CNN.
This chamber is the critical location where five of the seven villagers are located, perched on a rocky ledge above the murky flood waters.
It takes a strong diver two hours to navigate the journey from the entrance of the cave to the fourth chamber, according to a member of the Thai rescue team.
“We’re not sure how far we’ll be able to get yet, so we’ll need to keep monitoring the situation as it develops,” Bounkham Luanglath said.
“It really depends on the condition of the survivors and the circumstances on the ground.”
Exclusive: On the ground in Laos as cave rescue continues
CNN’s Will Ripley is on the ground near the Laos cave rescue site as the mission to rescue the five trapped villagers continues.
CNN's Will Ripley is on the ground near the Laos cave rescue site as the mission to rescue the five trapped villagers continues.
Here's what the trapped men told divers who made contact with them
Before today’s mission got underway, the five villagers awaiting rescue from deep within the cave in Laos pleaded for food and medical aid as rescuers worked tirelessly to bring them food and clear their escape route.
“If we don’t get any food, we’re out of strength,” one man, named only as Kham, told a diver in video from the Association of Volunteers for Lao People.
Cut off from the outside world for over a week, the men asked, “Have many people come?” to which the diver replied, “Oh yes, loads of people.”
Fellow villager Ee reported a sore throat and chest and persistent coughing. “We’re weak and we’re really hungry,” he told Palasing, pleading for rice and “some proper food.”
Diver Norased Palasing reassured the five men “I want you all out of here right now” but explained that the passage is flooded and a team is working to make it passable.
Five of the seven villagers trapped in a flooded cave in Laos sent messages to their families after rescuers found them alive.
More expert divers arrive at scene of Laos cave rescue site
A helicopter carrying expert divers and their equipment landed at an airstrip earlier on Friday near the cave in Laos where a rescue effort is underway, video shot by CNN shows.
The divers join Kengkard Bongkawong, from neighboring Thailand, Mikko Paasi from Finland, Malaysian cave and mine diver Lee Kian Lee, and Australian diver Josh Richards, as well as specialist divers from Japan, France, Indonesia and Thailand.
According to a Thai diver, the specialists that arrived today are:
- Naruchit Kiatmaneesri from Thailand
- Robin Cuesta from France
- Audita Harsono from Indonesia
- Josh Richards from Australia
- Yoshitaka Isaji from Japan
Teams rehearsed evacuation procedure before starting the rescue
Rescue teams on the ground rehearsed the evacuation procedure ahead of beginning their effort to bring all five known survivors out of the cave.
Water levels in the cave had dropped significantly following continuous pumping operations and were close to being fully drained as teams, according to Bounkham Luanglath, president of the Lao People’s Volunteer Association.
CNN arrives at rescue site, deep in the Lao jungle
A CNN team has arrived at the rescue site deep in the Lao jungle, the first international news outlet on the scene, where they await updates on the mission to rescue the men trapped inside.
CNN’s Will Ripley and his colleagues flew by helicopter over rugged mountains and dense bush, then landed at an abandoned airstrip and continued along winding, bumpy dirt roads.
“We flew for an hour deep into the jungle, it’s extremely remote,” producer Isaac Yee said from the rescue site where the team aim to stay into the evening, south of Long Tieng village.
“The atmosphere is one of waiting at the moment, there’s a lot of anticipation.”
Yee said there are several ambulances and other emergency vehicles onsite and roads can only be accessed via 4x4 vehicles.
Rescue mission bolstered by international support
The high-stakes rescue mission to free the villagers trapped in the remote Laos cave has received international support.
After the men were reported missing, a dangerous operation involving a team of highly specialized international divers was launched amid deteriorating conditions.
An A-Team of internationally renowned cave divers coalesced in the landlocked Southeast Asian country, including Kengkard Bongkawong, from neighboring Thailand, and Mikko Paasi from Finland.
This was something of a reunion for the daring divers: eight years ago, both played a key role in the dramatic Thai cave rescue that saved 12 boys and their soccer coach.
Further international support arrived on Friday to bolster the rescue. Malaysian cave and mine diver Lee Kian Lee and Australian diver Josh Richards will join other specialist divers from Japan, France, Indonesia and Thailand.
Thai rescue diver and team lead Kengkard said the extra support was needed in case an emergency situation arose, including “the risk of additional rainwater flowing into the cave.”
CNN’s Laura Sharman, Kocha Olarn, June Jeong and Angie Puranasamriddhi contributed reporting.
Once a CIA base, village near Laos cave rescue was considered "most secret place on Earth"
The village of Long Tieng, near the site of the attempted rescue, sits in central Laos about 80 miles northeast of the capital, Vientiane. Today, it’s a sleepy settlement of a few thousand people who mostly rely on the land for their livelihoods.
It also hides a chapter of America’s Cold War history – a site once known as “the most secret place on Earth.”
From the 1960s to the early 1970s, Laos played a central role in the United States’ fight to stop the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. Long Tieng was the secret headquarters of a US-backed Hmong anti-communist army fighting against Pathet Lao forces, which were supported by the North Vietnamese Army.
At its height, tens of thousands of inhabitants – Hmong soldiers, their families, refugees from other parts of Laos, Thai soldiers and a small contingent of American CIA operatives and secret US Air Force pilots, dubbed “Ravens” – called this place home.
It was the heart of the largest paramilitary operation ever conducted by the CIA.
Today, the impacts of the intense US bombing campaign on Laos are still being felt. Of the 270 million sub-munitions dropped on the country, an estimated 30% did not detonate, according to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG). This unexploded ordnance continues to kill, injure and hinder development across the country, according to MAG.
Around the hills of Long Tieng, villagers still rarely venture off established roads and trails, to avoid unexploded munitions.
Read more about Long Tieng’s history here.
