XAISOMBOUN PROVINCE — Rescuers have begun removing five of seven gold miners trapped in a flooded cave in Laos' Xaisomboun Province since May 19, with one miner successfully extracted and four others awaiting further assessment as of Friday. The men entered the mazelike cave network to search for gold but became stranded when heavy rain and flash flooding blocked the entrance.

Video shared on social media late Friday local time showed the rescued man emerging from a narrow crevice, appearing weak and disheveled, before being taken to waiting medical assistance. Rescuers had guided him through a water-filled tunnel, crawling on their hands and knees while wearing breathing apparatus during the extraction.

Kengkard Bongkawong, President of the Mettatham Association Rescue Unit, confirmed that one person had been rescued, and that four remained inside and “are awaiting further assessment.” He added that all the men located by the rescue team are “quite weak.” Bongkawong said Friday evening that the search for the remaining two missing individuals “will continue tomorrow.”

Specialist divers located five of the men huddled together on a rock on Wednesday after navigating through the muddy water-filled cave. The men on the rock had ripped clothes and dirty faces, seemingly stunned that they had been found alive. One of them told rescuers, “Don’t worry about me, mum. The rescuers are here. I’m safe now.”

The flooding has complicated rescue efforts, with specialists working to pump water out of the cave ahead of Friday’s mission. Thai rescue diver Norrased Palasing had said on Wednesday that getting the men out of the cave would not be easy, with initial efforts focused on bringing in supplies and helping the men regain energy.

All rescue personnel have been withdrawn for the day, according to Chakkrit Taengtang, a Thai member assisting the rescue operation. It remains unclear where the two other missing men are.