Laos ends search for 2 men trapped in cave since May 20
No more crews will enter the Xaysomboun cave, though water pumping and digging to divert the flow will continue from outside.
Rescue teams halted the search for two men still missing in a half-flooded cave in Xaysomboun Province, Laos, on Saturday (6/6), after operations stretched beyond two weeks and conditions at the site grew more dangerous. Seven villagers have been trapped since May 20, when a flash flood cut off the exit as they hunted bats and searched for gold in a former mine area. Five people were found alive; one was evacuated on May 29 and four others came out the next day after water was pumped out. According to Malaysian cave diver Lee Kian Lie, the cave entrance had begun to become unstable, making the risk to rescue teams too high. Thai rescue leader Kengkad Bongkawong said no one was being allowed in any longer, but water pumping from outside and digging at the flow point would continue.