Tham Luang rescue divers join Laos cave mission

Two Thailand-based cave-diving experts involved in the dramatic rescue of the 13 Wild Boars boys from Thailand’s Tham Luang cave rescue have arrived at a flooded cave in Laos’ Xaysomboun province to help rescue seven Laotians trapped inside since May 19.

The divers, Mikko Paasi and Norrased Palasing, reached the rescue site and vowed to begin operations immediately, as rescue teams race against time and deteriorating weather conditions.

The seven trapped men are believed to be among a group of villagers hired by a Chinese mining company to search for gold in the mountainous area of Long Cheng district.

It is reported that diving teams from Finland will soon arrive at the scene.

According to rescue officials, about ten workers became trapped in the subterranean gold mine after heavy rain triggered flash flooding and a landslide, blocking the tunnel entrance. Three workers managed to escape before the passage was completely inundated, leaving seven others trapped underground.

Rescue teams say the cave system is extremely narrow and complex, with some sections measuring only about 50 centimetres wide, forcing rescuers to crawl through flooded passages.

Initial assessments indicate that the trapped workers may be sheltering in a large chamber located more than 100 metres from the entrance. Above the chamber is a shaft-like opening about 50 metres deep, which rescuers are also exploring as a possible access route.

Thai rescue personnel already at the scene have described the mission as a difficult race against time due to continuously rising water levels caused by persistent rainfall.

A member of the Thai rescue team said rescuers have had to trek for up to two hours through mountainous terrain to reach the cave site, despite the actual distance being only around four kilometres.

Laotian authorities have provided helicopters and logistical support for the multinational rescue effort, while the Chinese mining company has reportedly deployed excavators to drill through the mountain in hopes of opening an alternative route to the trapped men.

The arrival of Paasi and Norrased has raised hopes for a breakthrough in the operation, given their experience in complex cave rescues.

The 2018 Tham Luang rescue captured worldwide attention after 12 young footballers and their coach became trapped inside a flooded cave in Chiang Rai province for more than two weeks before being rescued in an international operation involving Thai Navy SEALs and cave-diving experts from several countries.

Mikko Paasi (centre) poses with longtime diving partners Erik Brown (left) and Danish diver Claus Rasmussen during the Tham Luang cave rescue operation in 2018. // Paasi’s Facebook