Knocking sounds raise hope for two still missing in Laos cave

The search for two Laotians still missing in a man-made cave in Laos resumed this morning after a survey team trekking above the main entrance reported hearing knocking sounds yesterday, raising hopes they could be found.

The five Laotians, who were extracted at the end of last week after being trapped in the flooded cave for about 10 days, are now recovering in hospital.

Thai chief rescuer Kengkaj Bongkawong wrote on his Facebook page that teams discovered a key vertical shaft after following contour lines identified through satellite scans and specialised mapping software.

The shaft is believed to be close to chambers four and five of the cave system, where the two missing men are thought to be trapped.

Kengkaj said rescue teams had been climbing the mountains above the cave, scanning terrain and tapping cave walls every five metres in an attempt to locate the trapped pair.

A rappelling rescue team descended into the shaft and, after knocking on the cave walls, reported hearing sounds resembling rocks scraping in response.

Rescuers said the sounds did not appear to be echoes.

“Knocking on rocks, then hearing knocking back was not an echo. The signals are possibly from two lives still waiting to be saved,” one rescue volunteer said.

The operation was suspended yesterday because of heavy rain but resumed this morning.

The two missing men are believed to be around 25 metres deeper inside the cave from the point where the first five survivors were found.

The area is narrow, difficult to access and considered highly dangerous because runoff water from the mountain above flows directly into it.

Some sections inside the cave are airless and extremely tight, while divers must pass through submerged passages stretching for more than 30 metres in complete darkness.

The cave rescue operation in Muang Rong Chang, Xaysomboun province, entered its 14th day after five people were rescued last week.

Rescuers from Thailand, Laos and several other foreign specialists have continued searching both inside and above the cave system despite worsening weather conditions.

Heavy rain has continued to hamper operations, with water from the mountains forcing rescue teams to pump water back out of the tunnels around the clock in a race against time.

Kengkaj wrote that the rescue mission had received assistance not only from multinational rescue teams but also from Laotian authorities, who are providing technical and humanitarian support.

Local people were also praised for their tireless assistance, with some joining the mission and others providing food and water.

He said the team will continue searching for the missing pair in the cave as their families wait outside.