THAILAND—Six boys have been rescued by divers from the cave in Thailand after being trapped since June 23. The group includes 12 boys and their soccer coach Ekkapol Chantawong who became trapped in the cave after heavy rain blocked their exit. The team was found on July 2.
The boys and their coach have been trapped in this cave for more than two weeks. Navy seals have been attempting to rescue the victims since Monday. Thai Navy Seal Sgt. Major Saman Gunan died on Thursday, July 5 while helping provide oxygen to the young boys, CNN reported. The boys trapped in the cave range between the age of 11 and 17 and are players for the Wild Boars soccer team.
The four boys were rescued during the heavy rain on Sunday, July 8. The rescue team consisted of 13 foreign divers and five Thai Navy Seals. Naronsak Osottanakorn, the governor of Chiang Rai, reported the first boy was rescued at 5:40 p.m. local time and the second boy was rescued at 5:50 p.m.. He indicated that the third boy was rescued at 7:40 p.m. and the fourth boy at 7:50 p.m.
“They [the divers] hugged the boys beneath them while they were wearing full face masks,” said Osottanakorn. According to officials, each of the rescued boys were taken to Chiang Rai hospital for treatment.
According to CNN, many of the boys attend Mae Sai Prasitsart school. The school’s assistant principal was excited that four of the school’s students were rescued. He exercised precaution and reminded people that “Nine [boys] are still in the cave.”
Osottanakorn stated that more oxygen would be needed to rescue the remaining eight boys and their coach. The rescue mission has been made difficult by heavy rains in the region that has caused water levels in the cave to rise. As of Monday, July 9, a total of eight boys have been rescued from the cave.
