Two cave diving specialists who yesterday attempted to survey a flooded cave in Laos’s Xaysomboun province, where seven Laotian gold miners have remained trapped since last Tuesday, described the interior passages as so narrow that they could not even crawl on their knees.
Thailand-based divers Mikko Paasi and Norrased Palasing had just arrived at the cave site.
They entered the cave to conduct a test dive as part of efforts to reach the workers trapped inside after landslides and flooding caused by heavy rain blocked their exit route, according to Kengkart Bangkawong, a Thai rescuer at the scene.
Thai rescuers meet to discuss rescue plans for seven Lao nationals trapped inside a cave in Laos’s Xaysomboun province for nearly a week
According to the two divers, they had to lie face down and inch forward through tight tunnels inside the collapsed mine.
The rescuers said the mine consists of several tunnel sections, many of them extremely narrow. They eventually reached a point where underwater diving was possible and conducted a test dive through a very narrow passage.
To squeeze through the tight opening, the divers entered feet first, using their legs to push away sand and rocks before forcing themselves into a small cavity.
They managed to reach a depth of about five metres.
The pair said oxygen levels inside the confined space were, however, insufficient, forcing them to temporarily withdraw from the operation.
They described the section as the narrowest point inside the mine, adding that, if rescuers can get past it, they believe a much larger chamber lies beyond.
Due to the lack of breathable air, the team decided to pull back and reassess its rescue strategy.
Both divers were involved in the rescue of 12 footballers and their coach from Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai province eight years ago. That rescue operation was successfully completed and attracted worldwide attention.
Due to a shortage of personnel and equipment, Lao authorities and rescue teams requested assistance from Thai rescuers, who arrived at the scene over the weekend.
International cave divers have also begun travelling to the area to assist with the mission.
Meanwhile, a Thai rescuer, Pond Jakkrit, wrote from the cave site that seeing the families waiting with hope outside the cave made him realise he could not relax or stop for even a second.
He said that whenever he sees the wives and children of the trapped workers waiting outside the cave with hope in their eyes, he promises himself that he will do his very best.
He added that one thing keeping the rescuers going is the encouragement from local villagers.
Since arriving at the site, the rescue team has not been fighting alone.
Villagers have volunteered to help with everything, from providing food and accommodation to walking up and down the mountain several times a day without a single complaint, no matter how heavy the rain becomes.
Everyone understands the exhaustion and danger faced by those entering the cave.
Every second of the mission is not only a race against time for the people trapped inside, but also for their families. Some refuse to leave the cave entrance, hoping to see their loved ones walk out and embrace them once again.
Although Pond says he is not the most skilled or experienced person on the mission, he has promised to do his utmost and, as long as there is still hope of bringing all seven men out alive, no one is prepared to give up.
