Rescuers Recover Five Miners From Laos Tunnel

Five Lao workers trapped inside a collapsed gold mining tunnel in Longchaeng, Xaysomboun Province, Laos, have been rescued safely after a major joint operation involving Lao authorities and rescue teams from Thailand, supported by a Finnish diver. The successful extraction of all five survivors marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing mission, although two workers remain unaccounted for.

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The collapse occurred at a gold mining tunnel in Longchaeng, leaving seven Lao workers trapped underground. Thai rescue personnel crossed into Laos to assist local authorities in the emergency operation, which was complicated by confined spaces and extensive flooding within the tunnel system.

On 27 May 2026 at 4.50pm, Facebook page “Jakkrit Tangtang”, operated by rescue volunteer and influencer Pond Jakkrit Tangtang, reported that rescuers had located five of the seven trapped workers. The discovery came on the fourth day of the search effort.

Later on 29 May 2026, rescuers successfully brought out the first survivor, Mr Mued, aged 23. The remaining four survivors were not immediately evacuated as officials needed additional time to develop a safe extraction plan.

Rescuers believed the two missing workers may have been beyond the location where the five survivors were found. Reaching the suspected area was expected to require divers to travel a further 25 metres through sections containing large volumes of water. Officials noted that the water was extremely cold because the search area lay deeper beneath the mountain.

According to Kengkaj Bongkaowong, also known as Ajarn Tinglee, head of Metta Dham Kalasin Rescue Foundation, all five rescued workers have now been brought safely out of the tunnel. In a Facebook post, he stated: “The remaining four have now exited the cave. In total, all five people who were located have been brought out safely.”

Kengkaj later confirmed that the search operation for the remaining two missing workers is continuing. He wrote: “The mission to search for the other two people is still under way.”

He also highlighted the continuing hopes of the families awaiting news of their loved ones, stating: “Other families are celebrating, but the children of the other two families are still waiting for their fathers with hope. We continue the mission.” Amarin reported that authorities and rescue teams remain focused on locating the remaining two workers as the operation enters its next phase.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 30 May 2026