\n<\/p>\n
Bangkok– <\/span>Search operation for seven villagers trapped inside A flooded cave in central Laos<\/a> It entered its seventh day on Tuesday, as rescue workers faced difficult terrain and weather as they tried to reach the group whose condition remains unknown. <\/p>\n According to Lao and Thai rescue teams involved in the operation, villagers entered the cave in Zassomboon province on May 19, but heavy rains caused a flash flood, blocking the exit.<\/p>\n The Lao organization Rescue Volunteers for People, which is working closely with local authorities, posted on its Facebook page that Tuesday’s operation plan included searching air shafts above the cave in hopes of identifying possible access points. And locating the stranded people.<\/p>\n Rescue workers from neighboring Thailand also arrived at the site over the weekend to assist in the operation.<\/p>\n According to rescue workers, divers have penetrated about 100 meters into the flooded, narrow cave. They believe the villagers may be stranded about 30 meters beyond the furthest point with current access. They are working to drain water from the cave to aid search efforts.<\/p>\n The site is in a remote area of \u200b\u200bLongcheng District in Zaisomboun Province, about 120 kilometers (75 mi) north of the capital Vientiane. Rescue workers at the scene have detailed on social media the challenging hilly terrain and heavy rains that are hampering operations.<\/p>\n Video shared online by Thai rescue workers shows that it takes a hike of about 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) to reach the cave entrance. The entrance is also steep and rocky, and barely wide enough for one person to climb at a time.<\/p>\n Inside, rescue workers have to wade through muddy passages, flooded stretches and narrow tunnels that force them to crawl.<\/p>\n There has been no official confirmation as to why the villagers went into the cave, although rescue workers said they went in search of gold deposits.<\/p>\n Bonkham Luanglath of the Lao rescue group told The Associated Press that the cave was frequented by local residents looking for gold, although authorities had repeatedly warned them against entering the cave due to safety concerns.<\/p>\n The average per capita income in Laos is about $2,000\u20132,500, the lowest in Southeast Asia, and lower still in underdeveloped rural areas.<\/p>\n Laos is not known as a major gold producer, but its mining industry is large given the country’s developing economy. The mining sector is boosted by foreign direct investment, mainly from neighboring Thailand and China. Copper is a major export, and mining for rare earths<\/a> The elements, essential for most modern technologies, have recently become more common in Laos.<\/p>\n Laos’ Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday it had no official information to share with the media. The Southeast Asian nation is a one-party communist state, with no organized opposition and the government tightly monitoring information.<\/p>\n This news quickly came into the headlines due to its similarity with Thailand. Dramatic 2018 cave rescue in northern Thailand<\/a>Where 12 boys and their football coach were trapped for more than two weeks, they were rescued safely in an operation that became a global sensation. A former Thai Navy SEAL diver died during a search and rescue effort.<\/p>\n