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Thailand cave rescue: divers work to rescue missing football team – live Thailand cave rescue: divers work to rescue missing football team – live
(35 minutes later)
The BBC has a moving two-minute video that sketches a picture of a nation in prayer, from the boys’ school, to their village, and back to the scene where the filmmakers speak to Rob Harper, a British caver.
It is currently 03:50 in Thailand and the rescue team are half-way through what could be the first of many nights at the children’s side.
We shall continue to update this blog throughout the night.
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The 12 boys are members of the Moo Pa, aka Wild Boar, football team.
Their 25-year-old coach, Ekkapol Janthawong, occasionally takes them out on day trips - in fact, he took the boys on an excursion to the same cave two years ago.
The youngest member of the squad is Chanin “Titan” Wibrunrungrueang, 11, who started playing football aged seven.
The team’s captain, Duangpet “Dom” Promtep, 13, is said to be the group motivating force.
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.
Football is increasingly popular in Thailand and, like much of the world, the Premier League is well-watched with many supporting Leicester City – whose owner is Thai.
The national team has never qualified for the World Cup and came bottom of their qualifying group, which was topped by Japan with Saudi Arabia coming in a point behind, for the tournament this year.
It could take hours to remove each individual child, according to Butch Hendrick, an American rescue diver, who has spoken to CNN this evening.It could take hours to remove each individual child, according to Butch Hendrick, an American rescue diver, who has spoken to CNN this evening.
They’d have to make sure that each one was successfully out before they started with the next one because if they suddenly had a problem they don’t want to be halfway through the exit and realize they have to go back.They’d have to make sure that each one was successfully out before they started with the next one because if they suddenly had a problem they don’t want to be halfway through the exit and realize they have to go back.
It could be multiple hours per person for sure based on the distance interior they are in the cave.It could be multiple hours per person for sure based on the distance interior they are in the cave.
Hendrick set out the three steps that the rescue team are likely to follow when and if they decide to remove the boys.Hendrick set out the three steps that the rescue team are likely to follow when and if they decide to remove the boys.
Medical personnel will check the boys and their assistant coach so they can decide who will go firstMedical personnel will check the boys and their assistant coach so they can decide who will go first
They will likely be given oxygen if they can’t swimThey will likely be given oxygen if they can’t swim
Two to three people will assist the boys and their coach to get through the narrow passagesTwo to three people will assist the boys and their coach to get through the narrow passages
Veteran rescue diver Butch Hendrick says it could take multiple hours to remove one boy from the cave. pic.twitter.com/aBeL37ZMQMVeteran rescue diver Butch Hendrick says it could take multiple hours to remove one boy from the cave. pic.twitter.com/aBeL37ZMQM
Tham Luang cave is one of Thailand’s longest and one of the toughest to navigate while a sign outside the site warns visitors not to enter the cave during the rainy season between July and November.Read Jon Henley’s updated piece for the full story as the boys remain trapped inside the cave.Tham Luang cave is one of Thailand’s longest and one of the toughest to navigate while a sign outside the site warns visitors not to enter the cave during the rainy season between July and November.Read Jon Henley’s updated piece for the full story as the boys remain trapped inside the cave.
Local officials and rescuers have described how the extremely narrow passageways within the cave, which go upward in some places and downward in others, have made it difficult for divers and their gear to fit through.Local officials and rescuers have described how the extremely narrow passageways within the cave, which go upward in some places and downward in others, have made it difficult for divers and their gear to fit through.
After they were repeatedly forced to withdraw due to the rising water levels, the divers adopted a more methodical approach using a rope line and extra oxygen supplies to help them along the way.After they were repeatedly forced to withdraw due to the rising water levels, the divers adopted a more methodical approach using a rope line and extra oxygen supplies to help them along the way.
Meanwhile, teams on the ground have been working to pump out water, as well as divert groundwater, which would make the boys’ exit from the cave easier.Meanwhile, teams on the ground have been working to pump out water, as well as divert groundwater, which would make the boys’ exit from the cave easier.
Other efforts have focused on locating mountainside shafts which could serve as a back door to the blocked-off areas.Other efforts have focused on locating mountainside shafts which could serve as a back door to the blocked-off areas.
The rescue operation team will now have to deduce which of these methods, in addition to teaching the boys how to dive, is likely to be most successful if water levels do not fall.The rescue operation team will now have to deduce which of these methods, in addition to teaching the boys how to dive, is likely to be most successful if water levels do not fall.
It is understood that the two British divers who were the first to speak to the lost boys are named Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, who are world-renowned for their rescue and recovery work in caves.It is understood that the two British divers who were the first to speak to the lost boys are named Rick Stanton and John Volanthen, who are world-renowned for their rescue and recovery work in caves.
In 2010 they were specifically requested by the French authorities to help rescue a diver trapped underground for a week.In 2010 they were specifically requested by the French authorities to help rescue a diver trapped underground for a week.
The BBC wrote about their adventures in 2016.The BBC wrote about their adventures in 2016.
The BBC’s Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, told the BBC News Channel that although there is a feeling that the nine-day saga will have a happy ending, the technically “difficult way out” must now be confronted.The BBC’s Jonathan Head, who is at the scene, told the BBC News Channel that although there is a feeling that the nine-day saga will have a happy ending, the technically “difficult way out” must now be confronted.
For the moment, for everybody here, there is just something almost unbelievable that they’re absorbing a happy ending that had seemed increasingly hard to believe in,” he said.For the moment, for everybody here, there is just something almost unbelievable that they’re absorbing a happy ending that had seemed increasingly hard to believe in,” he said.
Now, of course, the challenge to get them out has to be confronted. There are meetings taking place now to look at what their options are, heavy rain is expected later this week, that could make the water in there a lot more dangerous.Now, of course, the challenge to get them out has to be confronted. There are meetings taking place now to look at what their options are, heavy rain is expected later this week, that could make the water in there a lot more dangerous.
As you can hear from the generators you’ve constantly got huge amounts of water being brought out from the caves. They may opt to try to do that to get the boys out when they get the water levels down.As you can hear from the generators you’ve constantly got huge amounts of water being brought out from the caves. They may opt to try to do that to get the boys out when they get the water levels down.
They’ve clearly got to fix whatever health problems they’ve got, treat them [and] rebuild their strength before they can even think of taking them out. Or, they may consider giving them rudimentary diving training and to bring them out along the guide ropes that they’ve now established but it is a technically a very difficult way out.”They’ve clearly got to fix whatever health problems they’ve got, treat them [and] rebuild their strength before they can even think of taking them out. Or, they may consider giving them rudimentary diving training and to bring them out along the guide ropes that they’ve now established but it is a technically a very difficult way out.”
In a video posted on Facebook by Thailand’s Navy Seals the boys confirm that there are 13 people inside the cave.In a video posted on Facebook by Thailand’s Navy Seals the boys confirm that there are 13 people inside the cave.
The voices of the English rescuers can be heard telling the group that the rescue may take some time: “There’s only two of us, you have to dive.”The voices of the English rescuers can be heard telling the group that the rescue may take some time: “There’s only two of us, you have to dive.”
Reassuringly he tells them: “We’re coming, it’s OK. Many people are coming, we are the first.”Reassuringly he tells them: “We’re coming, it’s OK. Many people are coming, we are the first.”
The boys’ relatives have been waiting near the cave in an increasing state of desperation for days. Joy overcame them and they embraced each other as the news that the boys had been found emerged.The boys’ relatives have been waiting near the cave in an increasing state of desperation for days. Joy overcame them and they embraced each other as the news that the boys had been found emerged.
“I’m so glad... I want to him to be physically and mentally fit,” said Tinnakorn Boonpiem, whose 12-year-old son Mongkol is among the 13.“I’m so glad... I want to him to be physically and mentally fit,” said Tinnakorn Boonpiem, whose 12-year-old son Mongkol is among the 13.
“I found out from the television... I’m so happy I can’t put it into words,” another relative of one of one of the group told television reporters with tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.“I found out from the television... I’m so happy I can’t put it into words,” another relative of one of one of the group told television reporters with tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.
Now, however, they face yet another nerve-wracking wait.Now, however, they face yet another nerve-wracking wait.
The British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC) are assisting with the operation in the popular tourist cave.The British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC) are assisting with the operation in the popular tourist cave.
Liaison officer Chris Jewell said the BCRC responded to a request for assistance from the Thai authorities last week and promptly sent three experienced cave divers to Thailand from Heathrow.Liaison officer Chris Jewell said the BCRC responded to a request for assistance from the Thai authorities last week and promptly sent three experienced cave divers to Thailand from Heathrow.
He thanked the Derbyshire constabulary and other police forces for helping to deliver their specialist cave diving rescue equipment to the airport in time for their flight.He thanked the Derbyshire constabulary and other police forces for helping to deliver their specialist cave diving rescue equipment to the airport in time for their flight.
The UK team are experts in low visibility cave dives within small passages.The UK team are experts in low visibility cave dives within small passages.
Jewell said: “Thoughts are very much of those unfortunate boys and their coach trapped underground and distraught family members waiting above.”Jewell said: “Thoughts are very much of those unfortunate boys and their coach trapped underground and distraught family members waiting above.”
The football team disappeared after entering the cave with their coach on 23 June.The football team disappeared after entering the cave with their coach on 23 June.
They were trapped by rising floodwater, prompting a desperate round-the-clock search beset by torrential downpours that initially stopped divers going in until they were found nine days later.They were trapped by rising floodwater, prompting a desperate round-the-clock search beset by torrential downpours that initially stopped divers going in until they were found nine days later.
‘Our brothers are safe’: the moment it was announced that the boys had been found‘Our brothers are safe’: the moment it was announced that the boys had been found
It remains unclear whether any of the group are injured or in need of medical attention, but they have been given energy gels to sustain them while a plan is worked out to bring them to safety.It remains unclear whether any of the group are injured or in need of medical attention, but they have been given energy gels to sustain them while a plan is worked out to bring them to safety.
The boys are around a mile and a half underground in an area known as Patia beach and it could be days until they are successfully brought to the surface.The boys are around a mile and a half underground in an area known as Patia beach and it could be days until they are successfully brought to the surface.
Captain Jessica Tait of the US Air Force, who joined the Thai-led international rescue mission from their base in Okinawa, Japan, told Sky News that its “not done” yet.“We need to start thinking about isolated personnel and it’s about being able to bring them back safely,” she said.Captain Jessica Tait of the US Air Force, who joined the Thai-led international rescue mission from their base in Okinawa, Japan, told Sky News that its “not done” yet.“We need to start thinking about isolated personnel and it’s about being able to bring them back safely,” she said.
The director of the school where half the boys go said they only had two to three days of food with them and Tait, who is part of a team of survival experts, paid tribute to the boys’ “mental fortitude” because people can survive in unideal conditions if the “heart is there”.The director of the school where half the boys go said they only had two to three days of food with them and Tait, who is part of a team of survival experts, paid tribute to the boys’ “mental fortitude” because people can survive in unideal conditions if the “heart is there”.
Rescuers searched for Thai boys as their families waited nervously outsideRescuers searched for Thai boys as their families waited nervously outside
Footage from inside the cave shows rescuers going deeper into the flooded cave as the search for 12 trapped boys and their football coach entered its seventh day.Aektrakoon Suwanmard, a member of the football team, said he went to practice with the team on the day they went missing but opted against going inside the cave because he had to go home early.Footage from inside the cave shows rescuers going deeper into the flooded cave as the search for 12 trapped boys and their football coach entered its seventh day.Aektrakoon Suwanmard, a member of the football team, said he went to practice with the team on the day they went missing but opted against going inside the cave because he had to go home early.
The desperate search for the boys and their coach has captivated Thailand and drawn sympathy from across the world as help has arrived from far and wide.The desperate search for the boys and their coach has captivated Thailand and drawn sympathy from across the world as help has arrived from far and wide.
There is a 30-member US military team aiding the search operation, along with an Australian group of rescuers; while British cave experts and Chinese lifesaving responders and several other volunteer groups from various countries are assisting in the wider effort.There is a 30-member US military team aiding the search operation, along with an Australian group of rescuers; while British cave experts and Chinese lifesaving responders and several other volunteer groups from various countries are assisting in the wider effort.
Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has thanked everyone for their “tremendous efforts” in helping to locate the missing.Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has thanked everyone for their “tremendous efforts” in helping to locate the missing.
“The Royal Thai government and the Thai people are grateful for this support and cooperation, and we all wish the team a safe and speedy recovery,” his office said in a statement.“The Royal Thai government and the Thai people are grateful for this support and cooperation, and we all wish the team a safe and speedy recovery,” his office said in a statement.
Although the divers are now with the missing football team and their coach, a number of challenges remain for the rescuers in northern Thailand, where it is 00:35 local time.Although the divers are now with the missing football team and their coach, a number of challenges remain for the rescuers in northern Thailand, where it is 00:35 local time.
Anmar Mirza, a leading American cave rescue expert, said the primary decision is whether to try to evacuate the boys and their coach or to feed supplies through to them.Anmar Mirza, a leading American cave rescue expert, said the primary decision is whether to try to evacuate the boys and their coach or to feed supplies through to them.
“Supplying them on site may face challenges depending on how difficult the dives are,” Mirza, coordinator of the US National Cave Rescue Commission, told the Associated Press.“Supplying them on site may face challenges depending on how difficult the dives are,” Mirza, coordinator of the US National Cave Rescue Commission, told the Associated Press.
“Trying to take non-divers through a cave is one of the most dangerous situations possible, even if the dives are relatively easy. That also begets the question: if the dives are difficult then supply will be difficult, but the risk of trying to dive them out is also exponentially greater.”“Trying to take non-divers through a cave is one of the most dangerous situations possible, even if the dives are relatively easy. That also begets the question: if the dives are difficult then supply will be difficult, but the risk of trying to dive them out is also exponentially greater.”
The governor of Chiang Rai province, Narongsak Osottanakorn, said Thai navy Seals had found the group in the six-mile Tham Luang Nang Non cave, on the border with Laos and Myanmar, “all with signs of life”.The governor of Chiang Rai province, Narongsak Osottanakorn, said Thai navy Seals had found the group in the six-mile Tham Luang Nang Non cave, on the border with Laos and Myanmar, “all with signs of life”.
He said, in comments broadcast nationwide, that the 13 were in the process of being rescued, but warned that he did not know their condition and they not were out of danger yet. “We found them safe. But the operation isn’t over,” he said.He said, in comments broadcast nationwide, that the 13 were in the process of being rescued, but warned that he did not know their condition and they not were out of danger yet. “We found them safe. But the operation isn’t over,” he said.
The boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach went missing after entering the cave on 23 June and being trapped by rising floodwater, prompting a desperate round-the-clock search beset by torrential downpours that stopped divers going in.The boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach went missing after entering the cave on 23 June and being trapped by rising floodwater, prompting a desperate round-the-clock search beset by torrential downpours that stopped divers going in.
The international rescue effort has gripped Thailand. Cave diving experts flew in from the UK, and 17 US air force rescue and survival specialists travelled from Japan to join the 132 Thai army, navy and police officers working day and night to try to find the group.The international rescue effort has gripped Thailand. Cave diving experts flew in from the UK, and 17 US air force rescue and survival specialists travelled from Japan to join the 132 Thai army, navy and police officers working day and night to try to find the group.
Jon Henley has the latest story here and we will keep you updated as the rescue operation unfolds throughout tonight and into the morning.Jon Henley has the latest story here and we will keep you updated as the rescue operation unfolds throughout tonight and into the morning.