Four people rescued from flooded cave after 10 days

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Rescuers pulled four people to safety after they had been trapped inside a submerged cave for nearly two weeks.

The survival ordeal happened in Laos after a group of gold hunters had crawled into a cave in the remote central Xaysomboun province 10 days ago.

The cave entrance was cut off suddenly when flash flooding surged inside, leaving seven men trapped inside.

Five were spotted alive on Wednesday, around 984ft from the cave entrance. Two men remain missing.

Rescuers worked for days trying to reach the four men after one of them managed to crawl out and raise the alarm (Picture: AFP)

One man was pulled to safety yesterday, according to the Lao Rescue Volunteer for People organisation.

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Today marked another victory for the rescuers after the water level dropped enough for the remaining four to be taken to safety.

Footage shows the emotional moment the men emerged from the darkness of the cave as they embraced the rescuers.

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One survivour, dressed in just shorts and a headtorch, managed a faint smile as he was supported away through the rocky terrain.

The men were laid down on stretchers and given oxygen masks and drips as a medic appeared to check them.

Meanwhile, water is still being pumped out of the cavern in a bid to try find the final two men who are missing underground.

The rescue operation in the remote area involves specialist divers from neighbouring Thailand, Indonesia, France and Australia.

Rescue Volunteer for People said on Facebook today: ‘The water intake in the cave is decreasing and our plans are not finished yet [sic] will continue to search for two missing people from various locations.’

The latest rescue has sparked memories of the 2018 incident when young Thai footballers became stuck for 18 days in a cave.

The Laos cave ordeal came after five divers and one rescuer died in an underwater cave in the Maldives.

The five Italian divers had entered a 160ft deep ‘shark’ cave when the accident happened.

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