Five villagers found alive in flooded Laos cave – Finnish diver Mikko Paasi aids operation

Five of seven villagers trapped inside a flooded cave in central Laos were found alive on Wednesday after a week underground, rescue teams said, as Finnish diver Mikko Paasi took part in an operation through narrow tunnels filled with mud and floodwater. The men entered the cave in Xaysomboun province around 20 May during a trip linked to gold prospecting, according to Lao and Thai rescue groups. Heavy rain triggered landslides and flash flooding that sealed the exit and filled parts of the cave system with water.