Aussie diver on 'pretty full on' operation to free villagers trapped in Laos cave

Sunday, 31 May 2026 07:37

South Australian cave diver Josh Richards joined the international rescue effort and told 9News some conditions were more intense than he anticipated.

After more than a week trapped in an underground cave in Laos, five villagers have finally been freed.

The difficult and dangerous operation is still going, with two people still missing.

South Australian cave diver Josh Richards joined the international rescue effort and told 9News some conditions were more intense than he anticipated.

"The section between the entrance to the first chamber is so low that I had to take my helmet off to get through and I'm squeezing my face through mud while my head grinds along the roof, in order to get through," he said.

"So yeah, it's pretty full on."

Eight villagers entered the remote caves in search of gold 11 days ago.

Seven of them were trapped deep underground after heavy rain flooded the cabins.

On Friday, 23-year-old Mued was the first to be rescued, emerging exhausted but relieved.

"We were resting on the surface when suddenly we got news one of them was coming out," Richards said.

"He's in good spirits, he's healthy he was looking healthy last night."

A day later, four other men remain trapped about 350 metres into the cave were also freed.

The rescue operation was a delicate one with wetsuits were transported through the cave to the men, who were then shown how to use the diving equipment needed to evacuate.

"It's very, very tight, and it's full of water" Richards explained.

"My role is going to be to try and reduce the risks, make this tunnel wider, so that the last four that we've got in this chamber have a greater chance of success."

And time was of the essence.