Laos cave survivors crawl to safety after 11-day ordeal

Five men trapped for 11 days in a flooded cave in central Laos crawled about 850 feet through waterlogged passageways to the cave mouth after the floodwaters receded, an unaided escape that shocked rescuers. Their escape was aided by a multinational team that pumped water, cleared routes, and used diving gear for safe passages; the survivors slept huddled together, clung to hope of reuniting with loved ones, and credited fear as the source of their courage. Two other men remain missing as rescuers reassess conditions and plan deeper searches.