Rescuers stop search for last two men lost in Laos cave | Floods News
Search and Rescue Efforts Cease for Two Men Stranded in Laos Cave
Published June 6, 2026
Search and rescue teams in Laos have halted operations to locate two men who became stranded in a semi-submerged cave. The decision to suspend the search was made Saturday, marking a week since five other individuals were successfully rescued from the same cave system.
The group became trapped on May 20 while hunting for bats and seeking gold in the area. One man was rescued by divers on May 29, followed by the extraction of four others the next day, after additional water was pumped from a flooded cavern.
Despite concerted efforts from local and international teams, including participants from Finland, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia, the remaining two men could not be found. Lee Kian Lie, a Malaysian cave diver involved in the rescue, indicated that the team was near the men but faced significant challenges. He noted that while water levels were manageable, the cave entrance was becoming increasingly unstable, making further efforts “high risk.”
Thai lead rescuer Kengkad Bongkawong announced via Facebook that entry into the cave would be prohibited due to safety concerns. However, he confirmed that water pumping operations will continue outside the cave to lower water levels. Kengkad also stated that food supplies have been strategically placed at various locations inside the cave in case the missing individuals are able to navigate their way out.
He emphasized the urgency of the situation, as recent rainwater influx has reduced the vertical space available inside the cave to approximately 30 centimeters (12 inches), a significant reduction compared to conditions at the operation’s onset. “From today onwards, the rain will become progressively heavier,” Kengkad added.
