THAILAND—The coach and all players for the Wild Boars soccer team have been rescued. The 12 boys and their coach were all saved from a cave in Thailand, where they had been trapped since June 23. All were rescued on Wednesday, July 10. They are all currently in the hospital and will be there for at least a week where they are being treated for weakened conditions as a result of lack of substances for the past three weeks.
While the team was trapped, rescuers were attempting to supply the children with food, water, and oxygen. Tesla CEO, Elon Musk built a pod to help transport the group, but it was not needed for the rescue missions. Several of the boys were rescued on Sunday, July 8, as divers navigated complicated rising waters in an attempt to rescue the others.
Jesada Chokedamrongsuk of the Thai ministry of public health, described the eight boys rescued on Sunday and Monday as “cheerful,” according to The Guardian. Chokedamrongsook indicated the first group of boys rescued were between the ages of 14-16.
On Tuesday, July 10, the remaining four boys, ages 12-14, were freed along with their coach. The last four Thai Navy Seals, and a medic who helped rescue the boys who made it out of the cave unharmed. The coach, the weakest of the group, was brought out last. The lone fatality during the operation was former Thai Navy Seal Sgt. Major Saman Gunan, who died while attempting to supply oxygen to the boys.
Two of the boys are being tested for lung infections, but the kids were reported to be in good health. Some of the boys first rescued from the cave have already started to eat bread with chocolate.
Osatanakorn reported that the boys were required to dive out of the cave while being hugged by divers wearing face masks. According to CNN, they were given scuba gear to help them.
The Thai Navy Seals wrote on their Facebook page, “Today the united force of humanity is at work. The world will never forget this rescue mission.”
Elon Musk proclaimed his excitement via social media tweeting, “Great news that they made it out safely. Congratulations to an outstanding rescue team!” President Trump congratulated the rescue team as well for their successful mission via Twitter.
The Huffington Post reported that many of the kids have been reunited with their families. Some of the families are allowed to only see the boys through a glass window and are not allowed to touch them until they have been tested for diseases.
