Rescue teams have successfully brought the first survivor to safety after five men spent more than a week trapped inside a flooded cave in Laos.

The group became stranded on 20 May while searching for gold in a remote cave system when sudden flash floods swept through the area, cutting off their escape route and leaving them trapped deep inside the cavern.

After an intensive search operation, rescue divers located five of the missing men alive on Wednesday. The survivors were found approximately 300 metres from the cave entrance, sheltering together while awaiting assistance.

The discovery brought hope to rescue efforts that had been ongoing for days under difficult conditions. However, authorities have confirmed that two additional men who were part of the original group remain missing.

On Friday, rescuers achieved a major breakthrough when the first trapped survivor was successfully extracted from the cave. A member of the rescue team shared a photograph on social media showing the man being transported to safety.

A Thai rescue organization involved in the operation later confirmed the successful extraction, announcing that the first victim had been safely rescued from the flooded cavern.

The rescue mission remains challenging due to high water levels, limited visibility, and the complex layout of the cave system. Divers continue working to reach and safely evacuate the remaining survivors while also searching for the two men who have yet to be located.

Authorities have not released details about the rescued man’s medical condition, but emergency teams are expected to assess the health of all survivors as they emerge from the cave after enduring days in difficult and isolated conditions.

The operation has drawn comparisons to other high-profile cave rescues in Southeast Asia, highlighting the dangers posed by sudden flooding in underground cave networks during periods of heavy rainfall.

Rescue teams remain focused on safely bringing out the remaining four survivors while maintaining efforts to locate the two missing men. Officials have expressed cautious optimism as the operation enters its next phase.

The successful rescue of the first survivor marks a significant milestone in a complex mission that has captured attention across the region and offered renewed hope for the families of those still trapped underground.