Hungry and weak, the Laos cave survivors huddled together in damp darkness for 11 days, clinging to hope as a wall of water blocked their way out.

A rescue team on May 30, 2026 frees one of seven men trapped inside a semi-submerged cave in Laos for more than a week.

They are among seven villagers who entered the narrow tunnels in search of gold but were prevented from leaving when flash floods hit the remote mountain area of central Xaysomboun province on 20 May.