Rescuers race to reach 7 trapped in a Laos cave after flash floods block exit

Rescuers are racing against time to reach seven people who have been trapped in a cave in central Laos since last week.

BANGKOK — Rescuers are racing against time to reach seven people who have been trapped in a cave in central Laos since last week.

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A group of villagers in Xaisomboun province went into the cave to look for gold on May 19, but heavy rain triggered flash flooding that blocked the exit, according to Laos and Thai rescue teams involved in the operation.

A rescue worker at the cave entrance.Metta Dhamma Rescue Kalasin / via APBounkham Luanglath, who leads the Laos’ Rescue Volunteer for People, told The Associated Press on Monday that one of the people from the group escaped before the exit was blocked and alerted authorities. The status of the seven people who are trapped remains unknown.