Rescuer pulls 'Thao Muet' from Laos cave, victim cries out

Khaosod•Society•20h ago

Reader Briefing

Finnish diver 'Mikko' successfully rescued a trapped worker named 'Thao Muet' from a flooded Laos mine tunnel after a challenging 37-minute extraction.

•A Thai volunteer rescue team, working with Laos authorities, extracted one of 7 workers trapped in a collapsed gold mine tunnel in Xaychomphone District, Laos.
•The rescued worker, identified as Mr. Mueat, 23, was brought out by Finnish diver Mikko Pasii after a difficult 37-minute operation through a narrow, water-filled section.
•Four other trapped individuals are being assessed and will be rescued tomorrow, as they are not yet ready for transport.

Overview

•On May 29, 2026, during the evening, a Thai volunteer rescue team commenced the extraction of the first survivor.
•Mikko Pasii, a Finnish diver, entered the flooded mine tunnel to guide Mr. Mueat.
•Mr. Mueat was submerged and then emerged from the water, crying out in pain due to the narrow exit.
•The rescue operation for Mr. Mueat took 37 minutes from initial transport to reaching the outer chamber.
•The incident occurred after a gold mine tunnel collapse in Xaychomphone District, Savannakhet Province, Laos, trapping 7 workers.
•Mr. Mueat, aged 23, was the first of the trapped workers to be successfully evacuated.
•Four other trapped workers were deemed not ready for immediate transport and will be rescued on the following day.
•The rescue team will plan and execute the extraction of the remaining four trapped workers on the next day.

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Key Entities

Person

Thao Muet(ท้าวมืด)

Worker rescued from a collapsed gold mine tunnel in Laos.

Mikko(มิกโก)

Finnish diver who participated in the rescue of Thao Muet from a mine tunnel in Laos.

Mr. Mueat(นายมืด)

The first rescued worker, aged 23, extracted from a collapsed mine tunnel in Laos.

Pond Jakkrit Tangtang(ปอนด์ จักรกฤษณ์ แต่งตั้ง)

Facebook user who posted the video of the rescue operation.

Mikko Pasii(มิกโก ปาซี)

Finnish diver who participated in the rescue of Thao Muet from a mine tunnel in Laos.

Place

Lao PDR(สปป.ลาว)ℹ️

Country where the gold mine tunnel collapse and rescue operation took place.

Longcheng District(เมืองล่องแจ้ง)

District in Savannakhet Province, Laos, where the gold mine tunnel collapsed.

Xaychomphone District(แขวงไชยสมบูรณ์)

District in Savannakhet Province, Laos, where the gold mine tunnel collapsed.

Organization

Thai Rescue Team(ทีมกู้ภัยจากประเทศไทย)

Volunteer organization that traveled to Laos to assist in the rescue of trapped mine workers.