CHIANG RAI — A major rescue operation ended happily on Sunday evening after four trail runners went missing. The athletes lost their way in the dense jungle of Doi Li Khai. Heavy rain and thick fog trapped the group for hours before help arrived.
Emergency teams received the distress call around 7:00 PM on July 19, 2026. The Nang Lae Municipality disaster prevention unit quickly joined forces with local rescue teams. The Narenthorn Chiang Rai Center and the Saeng Kaew Photiyan Rescue Unit also rushed to the scene. Together, they launched a fast search operation to track down the missing group.
Key Takeaways
- Successful Rescue: Three men and one woman were safely brought out of the Doi Li Khai forest without any injuries.
- Severe Weather: Heavy rainfall and thick fog caused the runners to lose their track and become disoriented.
- Joint Effort: Multiple rescue agencies and local route experts worked together during the storm to find the group.
The four runners started their journey from the flatlands and headed up the mountain. As they climbed higher, the weather changed rapidly. Torrential rain poured down, and a thick mist covered the entire mountain. The sudden storm completely blocked their vision and washed away the trail markers.
Nang Lae Mayor Suchart Somprasong immediately set up a command center after hearing the news. He sent local guides who knew the terrain well to lead the rescue teams. Rescuers faced terrible conditions as mud and rain made the steep mountain paths highly dangerous.
Teamwork Brings Missing Athletes Home Safely
The search teams refused to give up despite the bad weather. Rescue workers carried specialized high-altitude safety gear and walked deep into the forest. A local dirt bike team also joined the search to cover more ground quickly.
At 6:53 PM, the search party finally spotted the four missing runners. The group was actively trying to walk out of the thick forest when help arrived. Relatives and officials cheered with relief as the team led the runners back to safety. You can follow local updates on the Nang Lae Municipality Facebook Page.
Medical teams checked all four athletes immediately at the base camp. Officials confirmed that none of the runners sustained injuries during the scary ordeal. Local authorities later thanked all the volunteers for their brave work during the storm.
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