Finnish diver Mikko Paasi joins rescue mission for 7 trapped in Laos gold mine cave

Seven people are trapped in a cave in central Laos after heavy rains triggered a landslide during a gold mining trip. Finnish diver Mikko Paasi is participating in the rescue operation. The cave is described as extremely narrow, forcing rescuers to crawl through passages.

Seven villagers remain trapped in a cave in central Laos following a landslide caused by torrential rains that struck during a gold mining expedition. The rescue operation has drawn international attention, with Finnish diver Mikko Paasi joining the effort to reach those stranded underground.

Paasi, speaking about conditions inside the cave, described the passages as dangerously narrow. «It is so tight that we have to crawl,» he said, highlighting the extreme difficulty rescuers face in navigating the underground system to reach the trapped individuals.

The villagers became trapped when heavy rainfall triggered a landslide that blocked the cave entrance, cutting off their route to safety. Gold mining in rural Laos is a common but often hazardous activity, with locals frequently exploring cave systems and remote terrain in search of deposits.

The Finnish diver's involvement recalls the high-profile 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, where international cave diving specialists played a crucial role in saving 12 boys and their football coach. Paasi's participation underscores the global network of specialized rescue divers who respond to such emergencies across Southeast Asia.