VIENTIANE, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Four more trapped people were brought out from a cave in central Laos' Xaysomboun province on Saturday, bringing the total rescued to five, local media reported.

This image released by Benz Norrased Palasing Seascout Diving, two rescuers work before evacuating the first of five villagers who had been trapped in a cave, seen in the back, in Xaisomboun province, Laos, Friday, May 29, 2026. (Photo: Benz Norrased Palasing Seascout Diving via AP)

Rescue teams safely brought one person out of the cave on Friday night, according to Lao News Agency.

Domestic and international medical personnel and rescue teams are providing first aid to the survivors in preparation for further treatment, said the report.

Search operations are still ongoing for the remaining two missing individuals.

The incident occurred on May 20 when seven villagers from Phanxay village entered a deep, narrow cave in search of food. Continuous rainfall caused water levels inside the cave to rise, trapping the group inside. The cave's complex geological structure, combined with an underground river system, makes the area highly vulnerable to flooding and other natural hazards during the rainy season.