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Thailand cave rescue: boys may spend months trapped underground, rescuers warn – live Thailand cave rescue: boys may spend months trapped underground, rescuers warn – live
(35 minutes later)
Thai people are sending thanks to the international community for assisting with the search for the missing boys and their coach.
In particular, many people are singling out Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, the British divers believed to be the first to make contact with the boys.
Thai blogger Kaewmala wrote “Thais are especially grateful to these British cave divers”, above pictures of Stanton and Volanthen and others posted pictures of the men and links to profiles of the men.
Thais are especially grateful to these British cave divers who, together with Thai Navy Seals, had first contact with the boys.Of course, many more play a part in this remarkable international search and rescue operation. And we are thankful to all involved. #ThamLuangRescue https://t.co/kFAnubXm2w
Great Job : คุณ เวิร์น อันเสวิร์ธ นักสำรวจถ้ำชาวอังกฤษ ยินดีที่ได้พบทีมหมูป่า Richard williams Stanton และ john Volanthen ซึ่งเป็นชุดล่วงหน้าร่วมกับหน่วยซีลไปพบทีมหมูป่า ยังไม่ให้สัมภาษณ์ใดๆ มีการให้ข้อมูลกับทีมซีลอเมริกันถึงจุดที่พบเด็กบริเวณเนินนมสาว pic.twitter.com/QK5jHVAoLc
For more about the British divers, Eleanor Ainge Roy has this report.
German press agency DPA are reporting that officials are installing phone cables in the cave so parents can talk with their children, whom they have not seen in nine days. But that the governor has confirmed the children will definitely not be brought out of the cave today.
Latest update: #Thailand officials are installing phone cables in the cave so the parents can talk to their kids today. But they’re not gonn be brought out today for sure, according to the governor. #Thailandcave #ThaiCaveRescue #ThamLuang #Thamlaung #ถ้ำหลวง #ทีมหมูป่า
The military are sending in food provisions to last the boys and their football coach more than four months, as well as medication.
Various options are being explored including teaching the boys – none of whom know how to swim – to dive or waiting for the water to subside, which could take months.
The Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters they were looking at all options, but “I don’t think they will be home soon.”
A medical team has been sent in to assess the health of the trapped boys and their coach and reported back that they are all in good health or having only “light” injuries.
Cave rescue experts have warned that any attempts to remove the boys while waters remain high could be “unbelievably dangerous” for the boys and their rescuers, given the conditions.
News that the group has been found safe has been met with jubilation across Thailand, where news of the search is trending on Twitter.
The young football team, made up of 12 boys aged between 11 and 16, and their coach went missing on Saturday 23 June, after monsoon rains trapped them inside the Tham Luang cave network.
They were found on Monday night after a nine-day round-the-clock search involving international teams of divers.
Footage of the group, shot by the British divers who reached them first, showed the boys and their coach huddled on a ledge surrounded by water. They said they were hungry and asked what day it was and if they could leave.
Medical teams have managed to reach the group and assess their health. The teams were able to dive to where the boys and their coach are trapped, kilometres from the cave’s entrance.Medical teams have managed to reach the group and assess their health. The teams were able to dive to where the boys and their coach are trapped, kilometres from the cave’s entrance.
“We categorized their health condition as red, yellow or green, red being the most severe injuries, yellow being mild and green being light. Yesterday, unofficially, we assessed that most are in the green category,” said Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn.“We categorized their health condition as red, yellow or green, red being the most severe injuries, yellow being mild and green being light. Yesterday, unofficially, we assessed that most are in the green category,” said Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn.
Medical teams will continue to monitor the boys’ health while they are trapped inside the cave network.Medical teams will continue to monitor the boys’ health while they are trapped inside the cave network.
Narongsak said rescue workers would now focus on the “rescue” phase and now have to decide how best to get the group out in their weakened condition.Narongsak said rescue workers would now focus on the “rescue” phase and now have to decide how best to get the group out in their weakened condition.
Options considered included waiting until water levels subsided, or teaching the group to use diving gear to navigate the flooded cave.Options considered included waiting until water levels subsided, or teaching the group to use diving gear to navigate the flooded cave.
“If you ask me now while we are still assessing all sides then I don’t think they will be home soon,” said Narongsak.“If you ask me now while we are still assessing all sides then I don’t think they will be home soon,” said Narongsak.
Channel News Asia reports that the Thai prime minister has held a telephone conference with the rescuers at the cave, expressing his happiness that they have found the boys.Channel News Asia reports that the Thai prime minister has held a telephone conference with the rescuers at the cave, expressing his happiness that they have found the boys.
Meanwhile in Bangkok, Thai PM Prayuth held a teleconference with the rescue operations in Chiang Rai, expressing his happiness about the breakthrough at #ThamLuang cave. https://t.co/k0mE2URaLqMeanwhile in Bangkok, Thai PM Prayuth held a teleconference with the rescue operations in Chiang Rai, expressing his happiness about the breakthrough at #ThamLuang cave. https://t.co/k0mE2URaLq
Two volunteer British cave divers who were the first to locate 12 Thai teenagers missing for nine days are world-leaders in cave rescue, and have frequently worked together on major search and rescue operations around the globe.Two volunteer British cave divers who were the first to locate 12 Thai teenagers missing for nine days are world-leaders in cave rescue, and have frequently worked together on major search and rescue operations around the globe.
Rick Stanton, aged in his mid fifties, is a firefighter who hails from Coventry and is regarded as one of Britain’s foremost cave divers, with more than 35 years experience.Rick Stanton, aged in his mid fifties, is a firefighter who hails from Coventry and is regarded as one of Britain’s foremost cave divers, with more than 35 years experience.
Stanton was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to cave diving, and is often described as the face of British cave diving, and the best cave diver in Europe.Stanton was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to cave diving, and is often described as the face of British cave diving, and the best cave diver in Europe.
John Volanthen, who brushed off reporters when entering the cave six days ago, saying only “We’ve got a job to do,” started out as a dry caver who has helped pioneer new equipment that allows cave divers to stay underwater for longer and at greater depths.John Volanthen, who brushed off reporters when entering the cave six days ago, saying only “We’ve got a job to do,” started out as a dry caver who has helped pioneer new equipment that allows cave divers to stay underwater for longer and at greater depths.
Volanthen is a computer engineer who runs marathons in his spare time and lives in Bristol.Volanthen is a computer engineer who runs marathons in his spare time and lives in Bristol.
In 2010, the pair attempted the rescue of accomplished French diver Eric Establie, who was trapped by a silt avalanche inside the Ardeche Gorge, near Marseille.In 2010, the pair attempted the rescue of accomplished French diver Eric Establie, who was trapped by a silt avalanche inside the Ardeche Gorge, near Marseille.
It is believed the French government requested Stanton and Volanthen by name. The duo received medals from the Royal Humane Society for their eight-day effort to save Establie, whose body they recovered from the cave.It is believed the French government requested Stanton and Volanthen by name. The duo received medals from the Royal Humane Society for their eight-day effort to save Establie, whose body they recovered from the cave.
The trapped group of 12 boys and their football coach will be supplied with four months’ worth of food and get diving training, the military said, as focus shifted to the tricky task of evacuating the group from the complex underground system.The trapped group of 12 boys and their football coach will be supplied with four months’ worth of food and get diving training, the military said, as focus shifted to the tricky task of evacuating the group from the complex underground system.
The boys aged between 11 and 16, were discovered with their 25-year-old coach late Monday, huddled on a ledge deep inside a flooded cave nine days after they became trapped in a pitch black cave hemmed by rising floodwaters.The boys aged between 11 and 16, were discovered with their 25-year-old coach late Monday, huddled on a ledge deep inside a flooded cave nine days after they became trapped in a pitch black cave hemmed by rising floodwaters.
Much-needed food and medical supplies – including high-calorie gels and paracetamol – reached them Tuesday as rescuers prepared for the possibility that they may be there for some time.Much-needed food and medical supplies – including high-calorie gels and paracetamol – reached them Tuesday as rescuers prepared for the possibility that they may be there for some time.
“[We will] prepare to send additional food to be sustained for at least four months and train all 13 to dive while continuing to drain the water,” Navy Captain Anand Surawan said, according to a statement from Thailand’s Armed Forces.“[We will] prepare to send additional food to be sustained for at least four months and train all 13 to dive while continuing to drain the water,” Navy Captain Anand Surawan said, according to a statement from Thailand’s Armed Forces.
The miracle rescue sparked jubilation across the country after a gruelling operation beset by heavy downpours and fast-moving flooding floods.The miracle rescue sparked jubilation across the country after a gruelling operation beset by heavy downpours and fast-moving flooding floods.
“We called this mission impossible because it rained every day... but with our determination and equipment we fought nature,” Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said Tuesday.“We called this mission impossible because it rained every day... but with our determination and equipment we fought nature,” Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said Tuesday.
“The doctor advised that we should provide several kinds of medicine to prevent infection and other illness,” adding that medics had reached the young footballers.“The doctor advised that we should provide several kinds of medicine to prevent infection and other illness,” adding that medics had reached the young footballers.
The boys were found late Monday by British divers, with footage showing them huddled on a mud mound deep inside the cave.The boys were found late Monday by British divers, with footage showing them huddled on a mud mound deep inside the cave.
An Australian cave diving expert says the operation to save 12 boys and a football coach trapped in a Thai cave is likely to take months.An Australian cave diving expert says the operation to save 12 boys and a football coach trapped in a Thai cave is likely to take months.
Peter Wolf, the national director of the Cave Divers Association of Australia, said getting the group out any sooner was not viable given the boys could not swim.Peter Wolf, the national director of the Cave Divers Association of Australia, said getting the group out any sooner was not viable given the boys could not swim.
“The best option is to leave them where they are and stabilise their environment to make sure the core ingredients are met. Given the environment is pretty wet, to keep them warm and dry, provide them with clean drinking water, food, and clean air,” Wolf said.“The best option is to leave them where they are and stabilise their environment to make sure the core ingredients are met. Given the environment is pretty wet, to keep them warm and dry, provide them with clean drinking water, food, and clean air,” Wolf said.
“Depending on the size of the chamber they’re in, the clean air is a concern as well.”“Depending on the size of the chamber they’re in, the clean air is a concern as well.”
With the rescuers, doctors and other staff likely to enter the cave, rescuers could open scuba tanks to ensure they had all enough oxygen.With the rescuers, doctors and other staff likely to enter the cave, rescuers could open scuba tanks to ensure they had all enough oxygen.
“It will create air pressure and the carbon dioxide will filter out through the rock,” Wolf said.“It will create air pressure and the carbon dioxide will filter out through the rock,” Wolf said.
The rescuers, which include expert teams from the UK, Australia, China, were facing a logistical “nightmare”.The rescuers, which include expert teams from the UK, Australia, China, were facing a logistical “nightmare”.
“The length of the cave and the conditions that they’re actually diving in means there are probably very few people on the planet who can actually get those provisions to them,” Wolf said.“The length of the cave and the conditions that they’re actually diving in means there are probably very few people on the planet who can actually get those provisions to them,” Wolf said.
“But the cave divers they’ve got over there are some of the most experienced in the world, especially when it comes to search and rescue operations.”“But the cave divers they’ve got over there are some of the most experienced in the world, especially when it comes to search and rescue operations.”
“The visibility is likely to be very close to zero which means they’ll be able to see a little bit but they’ll be feeling their way along. And we’re talking about lengths of kilometres.“The visibility is likely to be very close to zero which means they’ll be able to see a little bit but they’ll be feeling their way along. And we’re talking about lengths of kilometres.
“So they’ll be laying guideline to get to where they are going and to find their way out. It takes a lot of training and experience to be comfortable in that environment. It’s pitch black, except for the lights you bring yourself.”“So they’ll be laying guideline to get to where they are going and to find their way out. It takes a lot of training and experience to be comfortable in that environment. It’s pitch black, except for the lights you bring yourself.”
Wolf, who has 10 years of experience as a cave diver, said the only similar successful rescue operation he knew of took place when 12 experienced cave divers were saved from the flooded Pannikin Plains cave, in Australia, in the 1980s.Wolf, who has 10 years of experience as a cave diver, said the only similar successful rescue operation he knew of took place when 12 experienced cave divers were saved from the flooded Pannikin Plains cave, in Australia, in the 1980s.
The front pages of the English language Thai newspapers don’t have the news of the rescue on them, as they went to press before divers made contact with the boys.The front pages of the English language Thai newspapers don’t have the news of the rescue on them, as they went to press before divers made contact with the boys.
The Bangkok Post focuses on the international nature of the rescue mission, whereas the Nation has news that the divers were approaching Pattaya Beach, where rescuers hoped the boys were sheltering.The Bangkok Post focuses on the international nature of the rescue mission, whereas the Nation has news that the divers were approaching Pattaya Beach, where rescuers hoped the boys were sheltering.
News that the boys and their coach have been found is trending on Twitter today.News that the boys and their coach have been found is trending on Twitter today.
In Thailand, three hashtags to do with the search are trending: #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว (the 13 have survived), as well as the name of the cave in both Thai and English: #ThamLuang #ถํ้าหลวงIn Thailand, three hashtags to do with the search are trending: #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว (the 13 have survived), as well as the name of the cave in both Thai and English: #ThamLuang #ถํ้าหลวง
Trending on Twitter in #Thailand this morning is the hashtag to do with the miracle survival of the 12 soccer players and their coach: #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว (The 13 have survived)🇹🇭 Also trending is the name of the cave in English and Thai: #ThamLuang #ถํ้าหลวง pic.twitter.com/Omod2CyvEWTrending on Twitter in #Thailand this morning is the hashtag to do with the miracle survival of the 12 soccer players and their coach: #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว (The 13 have survived)🇹🇭 Also trending is the name of the cave in English and Thai: #ThamLuang #ถํ้าหลวง pic.twitter.com/Omod2CyvEW
An underwater cave rescue expert has warned it would be safest for the boys to “wait it out” and remain in the caves, potentially for weeks, until the water subsides, rather than attempt to swim out of the caves.An underwater cave rescue expert has warned it would be safest for the boys to “wait it out” and remain in the caves, potentially for weeks, until the water subsides, rather than attempt to swim out of the caves.
“It’s going to be a difficult rescue from here on,” Edd Sorenson of International Cave Rescue and Recovery, told BBC News.“It’s going to be a difficult rescue from here on,” Edd Sorenson of International Cave Rescue and Recovery, told BBC News.
He said that for a trained and skilled diver the conditions in the cave, with almost no visibility and rushing water, made swimming there “extremely dangerous”, and for someone not trained “it’s unbelievably dangerous”He said that for a trained and skilled diver the conditions in the cave, with almost no visibility and rushing water, made swimming there “extremely dangerous”, and for someone not trained “it’s unbelievably dangerous”
“It’s extremely likely they could panic when they get in the water,” he said.“It’s extremely likely they could panic when they get in the water,” he said.
He said it would be safer to wait “days or weeks” for water levels to drop.He said it would be safer to wait “days or weeks” for water levels to drop.
“As long as the kids know we know where they’re at, they have food, a way to keep warm, water or filtration systems and light, it would really be the safest to wait it out. But taking them in the water would be extremely dangerous for the kids and the coach but also for the rescuers.”“As long as the kids know we know where they’re at, they have food, a way to keep warm, water or filtration systems and light, it would really be the safest to wait it out. But taking them in the water would be extremely dangerous for the kids and the coach but also for the rescuers.”
False reporting about the search for the missing boys has abounded on Thai Facebook groups and some news outlets, during the nine-day search.False reporting about the search for the missing boys has abounded on Thai Facebook groups and some news outlets, during the nine-day search.
The head of the Thai rescue mission had to deny false reports that began circulating on Facebook on the weekend that the group had been rescued on Sunday.The head of the Thai rescue mission had to deny false reports that began circulating on Facebook on the weekend that the group had been rescued on Sunday.
“On Sunday, there was false news that the 13 had already been found,” said Thai newspaper The Nation. “And because more and more people were believing it, Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn, the head of the rescue operation, had to find time to make it clear that if it were true he would be directly informing reporters and everyone at the scene.”“On Sunday, there was false news that the 13 had already been found,” said Thai newspaper The Nation. “And because more and more people were believing it, Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn, the head of the rescue operation, had to find time to make it clear that if it were true he would be directly informing reporters and everyone at the scene.”
The Nation said that as the rescue mission stretched into its second week, people were “floating alternative theories that there must be more to it than meets the eye”.The Nation said that as the rescue mission stretched into its second week, people were “floating alternative theories that there must be more to it than meets the eye”.
Among the conspiracy theories espoused by Facebook pages and media outlets was that the missing boys might have witnessed a drug-related crime and been kidnapped or that the boys had already been found but authorities were keeping this news secret.Among the conspiracy theories espoused by Facebook pages and media outlets was that the missing boys might have witnessed a drug-related crime and been kidnapped or that the boys had already been found but authorities were keeping this news secret.
“Some traditional and mainstream media, meanwhile, are also in competition to get news and reports, resulting in some false reports,” wrote the Nation. “For instance, a TV news channel reported that some volunteers had heard a knock and the sound of scratching on the cave wall when they had knocked and called out to the missing boys. But the officials rejected the story.”“Some traditional and mainstream media, meanwhile, are also in competition to get news and reports, resulting in some false reports,” wrote the Nation. “For instance, a TV news channel reported that some volunteers had heard a knock and the sound of scratching on the cave wall when they had knocked and called out to the missing boys. But the officials rejected the story.”
This story has captured international attention and is on the front page of the Tuesday editions of several British papers.
The Guardian carries a large picture of one of the relieved relatives with the caption: “We found them safe”.
Tuesday’s GUARDIAN: Treasury preparing to increase fuel duty #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/aPATpBGFHc
The Times splashes on a picture of the boys perched inside the cave, nine days after they went missing.
Tuesday’s TIMES: May’s Brexit peace offer sparks Tory infighting #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/iLG1goTnl6
Dr Ricky Greenwald, founder and director of the Child Trauma Institute in Massachusets has told BBC News that the trauma suffered by the boys trapped in the cave for so long without any idea what would happen to them and without food, was akin to someone returning from a “combat experience” and that they may need psychological help in their recovery.
“It’s not very different from people coming back from an intense combat experience, where it looks like the life you left, but you don’t feel normal anymore, it’s a big culture shock, I think even with good family support and community support and medical care, it’s going to be a lot for children to adjust,” said Greenwald.
The families of the missing boys have shared photographs of the group with reporters outside the cave entrance.
The British Cave Rescue Council, which has sent divers to help with the rescue operation, has released a statement describing the logistical difficulties of rescuing the boys and their coach.
Vice chair of the British Cave Rescue Council, Bill Whitehouse said the rescue mission has been made more difficult because there is likely only going to be a short break in the monsoon rains and because of the small space the group are in, which makes drilling difficult.
Whitehouse also estimated that the boys are around 2km into the cave and somewhere between 800 m to 1km below the surface. He cautioned that diving conditions remained “very difficult”.
Here is Whitehouse’s full statement:
Around 16:30h this afternoon, we started to receive the remarkable news that all 12 of the boys and their coach had been located in a dry air space south of the Pattaya Beach area of Tham Luang Nang Non Cave. It is estimated that they are around 200 m south of that underground landmark.
Shortly after this news, we received a direct (but short confirmation) from our British cave divers of the joyful news that the lost boys had been located alive. Video footage of the boys and their coach has now been released and shown to families waiting on the surface.
Two British, volunteer cave divers found the boys at their current location, but the last 36 hours have seen a coordinated and planned approach to the rescue being led by the Thai Military and involving many other nations (including the USA, Chinese, Australians and others).
Equipment and air supplies have been ferried in to the system over the last day or so, enabling the divers to progress further in to the system than was previously possible. Diving lines have been laid to the boys’ location for other divers to follow with essential food, comforts and medical supplies.
We believe that there is only a short break in the monsoon and all feasible options for the rescue of the boys are being considered. Although water levels have dropped, the diving conditions remain difficult and any attempt to dive the boys and their coach out will not be taken lightly because there are significant technical challenges and risks to consider.
It is estimated that the boys are around 2 km into the cave and somewhere between 800 m to 1km below the surface. They are also located in a relatively small space and this would make any potential drilling attempt as a means of rescue very difficult.
Back here in the UK, there is an assessment of electronic equipment that may be suitable to pin-point the underground location of the boys and coach with a greater degree of accuracy than the published surveys. The necessary equipment will be sent to Thailand if electronic experts agree on the feasibility that it will operate over such depths.
12 boys, aged between 11 and 16 and their football coach, who have been missing for nine days, have been found by divers
In footage from British divers who reached the group, the boys said they were OK but hungry
They were found sheltering on a dry piece of ground surrounded by water
Divers who are part of the rescue operation have warned that extracting the boys from the cave network could take weeks or even months
None of the boys can swim or dive and rescuers have said they may have to wait several months for the water to subside so they can carry the boys to safety, or teach them how to dive, though rescue teams are still pumping water out of the cave network
The boys have been provided with energy gels to sustain them and divers are in the caves to keep them company. There are reports that medical staff will dive into the cave system and conduct medical examinations of the group later today
There has been jubilation in Thailand at the news the boys and their coach are alive, especially among relatives who have been keeping vigil outside the entrance to the cave since the boys were reported missing on Saturday 23 June
The Thai prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, wished the group a “safe and speedy recover” and thanked the rescuers, including the foreign teams who have flocked from Australia, Japan, the US and Britain to help with the search
There has been a round-the-clock rescue effort to try to find the group, but rescuers were stymied again and again by muddy water rising to the ceiling of the chamber, forcing them to withdraw for safety reasons
The boys are members of Moo Pa academy and are believed to have crawled into the 10km Tham Luang cave network in Chiang Rai in the north of Thailand, before monsoon rains flooded the caves, trapping them inside and blocking rescuers’ attempts to get to them
The team had cycled to the cave with their coach after football practice on 23 June. Their shoes and bicycles were found at the entrance to the cave
Locals have been carrying scuba gear and pipes up to the rescue site all week – the grey pipes are to pump water out of the caves, the orange ones to pump in oxygen.
Rescuers have been pumping water out of caves for days in the hope that they may be able to reduce the water level sufficiently to allow the children – none of whom can swim or dive – to be carried to safety.
But CNN reports that if this doesn’t work there is talk of teaching the boys how to dive, so they can reach safety that way. But that plan would obviously take a lot longer.
The boys have been provided with energy gel to eat and people have been sent to keep them company while the “logistical plan” is worked out, the Thai navy SEAL unit said on its official Facebook page.
“Power gel and sustenance equipment has been brought ... to the team ... and we’ve sent people to keep them company until the transport plan can begin,” said the post.
The Navy SEALs were jubilant in tone, writing on Facebook, in English “Hooyah” at the end of the post, but warned “our mission is not over”.
This is Kate Lyons taking over from Mattha Busby.
There has been jubilation at the news the boys have been found safe. But it may be weeks, or even months, until the boys are brought out of the cave, warned one diver involved in the rescue mission.
The diver who spoke to BBC Newsnight said it could be weeks until the water subsides enough for the rescue to be completed and that none of the children can swim or dive, which will slow rescue plans.
So there’s two volunteer Navy Seal doctors that actually sacrificed themselves to stay with the kids up to three, four months until the water subsides. Now the real hard work begins to get these kids out. None of them can swim or dive so that’s going to be a real challenge.
Ben Reymenants, a Dutch rescuer who is part of the international team which is assisting the Thai authorities, has told BBC Newsnight that it was a “miracle” that the boys were still alive.
Miraculously they found the kids and they all seemed to be in good mental health,” he said in an interview with Emily Maitlis.
Obviously very weak but they’re all alive and they’ve been sitting on a piece of rock in a dry room for about ten days so that is a miracle.
He said that its quite warm in the cave, at a temperature of around 26 degrees, and water is dripping from the walls.
This meant that, luckily, the children were unlikely to have experienced dehydration and hyperthermia.
“They are 2.3 kilometres inside a very complex cave system,” says diving instructor Ben Reymenants, adding that time is not on the rescuers’ side as heavy rain is expected in the next few days #newsnight pic.twitter.com/xbFmHpSDPx
Kids usually can survive quite long without food so they’re obviously very skinny and there’s some muscle atrophy,” he explained.
Now, as we speak, there are two Navy SEAL medics went to them with food and medication to get them back to strength and then a plan will be decided to extract them from the cave because at the end of the day they are 2.3km inside a very complex cave system.
The issue is that time is not really on our side because they’re expecting heavy rains within three days and the cave system [could] just flood, making access impossible for the kids.
According to a Thai army chief, the heroic British team who helped to spearhead the search for the young footballers went straight from the plane, after they arrived in the country, into the cave to assess the situation.
When they were asked about the task at hand as they walked to the cave, John Volanthen told the BBC: “We’ve got a job to do.”
Heroes: Richard William Stanton, Robert Charles Harpe and John Volanthen#ThailandCave Rescue pic.twitter.com/z2X3wonH4D
In 2010, Volanthen and Stanton were among a team that set a new world-record after diving 5.5 miles into the unexplored Pozo Azul cave system in Spain.
In an interview with the Sunday Times magazine in 2013, Volanthen, an IT consultant from Bristol, said he began caving as a scout.
“I enjoy the logistical challenge,” he said. “Getting us and all our kit to the end of such a long cave… it’s like that puzzle with the fox, the chicken and the grain. It’s not dangerous if you do it right. There are just a large number of little things that you have to be on top of at all times.”