Rescue teams are currently working at a gold mine in Laos, where seven workers remain trapped after flash floods.
Seven men found themselves stranded in the province of Xaisomboun on Tuesday, May 19, when heavy rains caused the waters to suddenly rise, invading the cavity and obstructing access. According to the authorities, they had gone more than 100 meters underground in search of gold ore. They operated in an artisanal manner, outside of any official mining structure. As conditions deteriorated, one of them managed to escape and alert the authorities, triggering an emergency response.
Des conditions d’intervention extrêmes
Rescue teams describe an extremely dangerous situation, marked by confined spaces, fast currents, narrow passages and a possible lack of oxygen, complicating access to the site. Images show the emergency services, equipped with protection, progressing in narrow galleries, while operations continued this Sunday, May 24 in flooded passages.
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The Laotian authorities mobilized administrative officials, soldiers, police officers, medical personnel as well as residents to support the relief efforts. Specialized teams from Thailand have been deployed and are now intervening alongside local emergency services, after coordination between the two countries. A Chinese team is also participating in the operations. On site, a race against time is now underway to try to save the survivors.
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