The prime minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, has thanked Thailand and Thai rescue teams for their assistance in rescuing Laotian miners trapped in a flooded cave in Xaysomboun province, describing the effort as a reflection of the close friendship and cooperation between the neighbouring countries.
In a letter dated June 7, addressed to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Sonexay expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Lao government and people for Thailand's support in the search-and-rescue mission.
The Lao premier specifically thanked the Thai government for authorising the deployment of rescue personnel from the Saithan Thailand Association, the Metta Tham Kalasin Rescue Unit and the Sawang Sivilay Rescue Unit to assist Lao authorities in the operation.
The Thai rescue teams worked alongside Lao rescue units and international experts from May 24 in an effort to locate and rescue seven people trapped inside a cave in Longchaeng district following heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Five of the trapped villagers were eventually rescued safely, while efforts to locate the other two have, to date, been unsuccessful.
The first survivor was brought out on May 29, while four more were rescued the following day despite repeated disruptions caused by heavy rainfall.
Rescue teams suspended operations inside the partially flooded cave on June 6 after detecting signs of a possible collapse near the cave's entrance, raising concerns about the safety of rescuers.
Before withdrawing from the cave, rescue teams placed food, drinking water and emergency supplies at several locations inside in the hope that the missing men might still be alive and able to reach them.
