World
Laos halts search for missing men in flooded cave after two weeks
Rescue risks rise as chances of survival diminish following earlier successful evacuations
In this image released by Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, rescuers try to reach people who have been trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos. File picture by AP
Vientiane: Rescue teams in Laos have halted the search for two men who went missing inside a partially flooded cave more than two weeks ago, after hopes of finding them alive diminished and risks at the unstable site increased.
Seven villagers became trapped in the cave in central Xaysomboun province on May 20, when flash floods blocked their exit while they were hunting bats for food and searching for gold in old mining areas, according to state media.
Rescue teams located five of the men alive a week later. One was extracted by divers on May 29, while four others were guided out the following day after water was pumped from the flooded cavern.