BANGKOK — Four more miners who were trapped in a cave in Laos for more than a week were freed on Saturday, a day after another man was rescued, Thai rescuers said.
The five men 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 May 20.
The rescuers were still trying to locate two men deeper in the cave.
The cave system, which extends deep underground, is also extremely narrow, with some chambers measuring only about 50cm (20in) wide, rescuers say.
The four men emerged from the cave around 3 p.m. local time on Saturday, said Mikko Paasi, one of the rescue divers leading the effort, after rescuers pumped out enough water for them to escape. In video shared by Paasi, the team of rescuers clapped and cheered as the men emerged from the cave.
One of the men was smiling as he was escorted to a make-shift medical tent, while the remaining three could be seen in emotional embraces with rescuers. One man cried out as he hugged one of the formerly trapped miners.
The four men were then seen being laid on stretchers, covered by foil blankets and receiving medical attention.
The rescue comes after experts had originally planned to pump out flood waters that were stopping the men from reaching safety.
That plan initially failed and a last resort was discussed of teaching the trapped men how to scuba dive and swim out.
The trapped group’s plight has captured the imagination of the international diving community and more help arrived on Friday.
Specialist divers from countries including Thailand, Indonesia, France and Australia landed in Laos to provide their expertise.
Source: Saudi Gazette