Rescuers are urgently working to provide oxygen to trapped divers inside a cave in Laos

Rescue teams are urgently seeking oxygen supplies as efforts ramp up to save divers trapped inside a flooded cave in Laos.

Rescue teams in Laos are urgently working to provide extra oxygen supplies to seven divers who are trapped inside a cave, following a landslide caused by heavy rain that has obstructed their exit.

The divers, all from Laos, ventured into the cave in Xaisomboun province last week in pursuit of gold before finding themselves trapped underground.

Rescue officials indicated that additional oxygen tanks would be necessary to ensure the operation is completed safely.

“We need to acquire as many oxygen tanks as we can and aim to establish an oxygen refilling station in front of the cave.”

Reports indicate that at least five of the trapped divers have been located alive, though none have been extracted from the cave as of yet.

Volunteer groups involved in the operation have provided differing accounts regarding the number of survivors found.

Thai volunteer teams reported that five individuals had been found, while the Lao “Rescue Volunteer for People” organization stated that all seven divers had been located and were safe.

The reports remain unverified by independent sources.

Thai rescue volunteers joined the operation on Sunday, which included a diver who had previously participated in the dramatic 2018 cave rescue in Thailand that involved 12 boys and their football coach.

The rescue operation garnered worldwide attention and included international teams, featuring British divers and US military personnel.

The recent rescue effort has faced challenges due to the harsh conditions within the cave and worries regarding the oxygen supply, as teams persist in their attempts to safely reach and extract the trapped divers.