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Thailand cave rescue: divers may attempt to free trapped football team this week – live Thailand cave rescue: divers may attempt to free trapped football team this week – live
(35 minutes later)
There is due to be an announcement in 20 minutes by Narongsak Osottanakorn, governor of Chiang Rai province, who has been coordinating the rescue mission.
Given the uncertainty surrounding whether a rescue dive will be attempted, or if they boys will be left in the cave to wait out end of the monsoon season – potentially another four months – hopefully this announcement will give some clarity about the rescue team’s plans.
Our south Asia correspondent Michael Safi is at the entrance to the cave and will be reporting back as soon as there is news.
Thai soldiers engaged in rescue effort gather about 20 metres from the cave entrance on Tuesday morning @MsKateLyons pic.twitter.com/I5LvBeujQa
Many of you have been asking me on Twitter and via email about how the boys have coped mentally and physically with the challenges of being in a cramped, dark space for so long. Agence France-Presse have spoken to experts about the challenges the boys are facing to their health and what they can do to improve their chances of survival.
Mental survival
The group’s survival may ultimately hinge on their ability not to lose hope while rescuers figure out how to free them from the dark, wet cavern, a process that could take weeks or even months, experts have told Agence France-Presse.
“The uncertainty of when and how they might be rescued will be beginning to set in,” Neil Greenberg, an expert in post-traumatic stress disorder at King’s College London, told AFP.
“When the divers got through, the kids, the thought process [would have been)]: ‘They get in, why can’t I get out?’” said Andrew Watson, an experienced rescuer of mineworkers trapped by floods or fire.
“It depends now how they’re communicating the circumstances to the children... You have to tell them just exactly what the circumstances are because... they need to understand that this is a difficult process that will require patience. Possibly a lot of patience.”
One factor in their favour is that they are in a group and not alone.
“They are together,” said Jean-Noel Dubois, a French spelunking rescuer and medic. “What people tell us after an underground rescue is that it is easier to persevere if one is part of a group and one has hope.”
Physical survival
Physically, the priority is to nourish and rehydrate the group and rebuild lost strength.
For Mike Tipton of the University of Portsmouth the fact that the footballers endured in the cave for nine days implied that three key ingredients for survival were in place: oxygen, a tolerable temperature, drinkable water.
Next to consider: “Things like what’s the sanitation like? Are they disciplined in order that they don’t get outbreaks of disease? That could be the next... threat,” said Tipton.
Once the group starts eating again, they will need safe sanitation to ensure waste is washed away and doesn’t pollute their drinking water.
The floodwater itself may also be contaminated with sewage or dead animals, Tipton pointed out.
A further concern: “How much space do they have?”
Being confined and sedentary for an extended period can result in muscle atrophy, or wastage, which can cause temporary muscular and skeletal problems.
The weaker the children are, the more difficult they will find a dive to freedom, said the experts.
Our south Asia correspondent Michael Safi is on the ground at the entrance to the cave and has this video of water being pumped out of the cave network where the group are trapped.
Water being pumped from the cave where the boys and their coach are stranded @MsKateLyons pic.twitter.com/FLF9xIPzqH
The Thai language newspapers are also dominated by coverage of the search for the boys.The Thai language newspapers are also dominated by coverage of the search for the boys.
Each features a picture of the British divers who were first to reach the boys, and most also carry the photograph of the boys huddled on a mud bank, illuminated by the torches of the divers.Each features a picture of the British divers who were first to reach the boys, and most also carry the photograph of the boys huddled on a mud bank, illuminated by the torches of the divers.
Front pages of the Thai language newspapers on Wednesday 4th July 2018 are all dominated by the news of the survival of the 12 soccer boys and their coach #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว #ถ้ำหลวง #Thailand pic.twitter.com/PH5Byu9Z7FFront pages of the Thai language newspapers on Wednesday 4th July 2018 are all dominated by the news of the survival of the 12 soccer boys and their coach #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว #ถ้ำหลวง #Thailand pic.twitter.com/PH5Byu9Z7F
The search for the 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand has been truly global, with divers, military and police from all over the world coming to assist in the search.The search for the 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand has been truly global, with divers, military and police from all over the world coming to assist in the search.
Last night, Thailand’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha, thanked the international community for their support and assistance in the search and rescue operation.Last night, Thailand’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-Ocha, thanked the international community for their support and assistance in the search and rescue operation.
The prime minister said that finding the boys the night before “has created gratitude and happiness for people all over the country.”The prime minister said that finding the boys the night before “has created gratitude and happiness for people all over the country.”
He said: “I have to thank the international community in assisting us. This would not have been possible if we didn’t help each other. Everybody did their part.”He said: “I have to thank the international community in assisting us. This would not have been possible if we didn’t help each other. Everybody did their part.”
The boys were located by a team of British divers who worked closely with Thai navy SEALs and teams from around the world, including the US military, Australian federal police, Japanese and Chinese technicians.The boys were located by a team of British divers who worked closely with Thai navy SEALs and teams from around the world, including the US military, Australian federal police, Japanese and Chinese technicians.
Jacob Goldberg, who is in Mae Sai reporting for the Guardian wrote about the camaraderie among the international teams:Jacob Goldberg, who is in Mae Sai reporting for the Guardian wrote about the camaraderie among the international teams:
“One thing I’d like to note about the mood in this camp is that we’ve all been in here as a family, working together, and I never sensed anyone being demotivated. In fact, I sensed a strong hope,” said US Air Force Captain Jessica Tait, a member of a unit of divers, medics, and survival specialists sent to the rescue site last week at the request of the Thai government.“One thing I’d like to note about the mood in this camp is that we’ve all been in here as a family, working together, and I never sensed anyone being demotivated. In fact, I sensed a strong hope,” said US Air Force Captain Jessica Tait, a member of a unit of divers, medics, and survival specialists sent to the rescue site last week at the request of the Thai government.
“This is a Thai-led, multi-national rescue operation, and what’s fantastic is that you see the US here, the Australians, the Chinese, the British divers, obviously,” she said. “It shows that when militaries train together, it’s for this – it’s for the real world.”“This is a Thai-led, multi-national rescue operation, and what’s fantastic is that you see the US here, the Australians, the Chinese, the British divers, obviously,” she said. “It shows that when militaries train together, it’s for this – it’s for the real world.”
Bill Whitehouse, vice-chair of the British Cave Rescue Council, has a helpful explanation of the challenges of rescuing the boys and the race against time that divers face if they are going to be able to dive the boys to safety, saying there was a “launch window” today before heavy rains start up again later this week.Bill Whitehouse, vice-chair of the British Cave Rescue Council, has a helpful explanation of the challenges of rescuing the boys and the race against time that divers face if they are going to be able to dive the boys to safety, saying there was a “launch window” today before heavy rains start up again later this week.
British Cave Rescue's Bill Whitehouse says "there are big risks" with trying to rescue the 12 boys trapped in a Thai cave but "there is a launch window to do something before it starts raining again," as the rain could flood the cave for months https://t.co/R1Hjb8wEM5 pic.twitter.com/Qg7sSoGuBaBritish Cave Rescue's Bill Whitehouse says "there are big risks" with trying to rescue the 12 boys trapped in a Thai cave but "there is a launch window to do something before it starts raining again," as the rain could flood the cave for months https://t.co/R1Hjb8wEM5 pic.twitter.com/Qg7sSoGuBa
He told CNN: “There are big risks in trying to fetch them out.”He told CNN: “There are big risks in trying to fetch them out.”
If diving conditions revert to what they were like last week, that might make diving impossible with zero visibility, fast currents and much longer dives.If diving conditions revert to what they were like last week, that might make diving impossible with zero visibility, fast currents and much longer dives.
There is a launch window to do something before it starts raining again, bearing in mind, the monsoon season, once it starts raining again, the cave could be flooded for months, that’s why they were obviously thinking of getting in supplies for several months.There is a launch window to do something before it starts raining again, bearing in mind, the monsoon season, once it starts raining again, the cave could be flooded for months, that’s why they were obviously thinking of getting in supplies for several months.
In terms of trying to fetch them out, I don’t know how they’re going to do it, there was talk earlier of training them to dive, that’s a bit of a long shot in the time available. One thing they might do, if they can take supplies in, can they bring the children out as inert packages, rather than them trying to swim themselves out.In terms of trying to fetch them out, I don’t know how they’re going to do it, there was talk earlier of training them to dive, that’s a bit of a long shot in the time available. One thing they might do, if they can take supplies in, can they bring the children out as inert packages, rather than them trying to swim themselves out.
He suggested that if rescue divers could fit the boys with full-face masks and air bottles “and perhaps restrain them so they can’t move and struggle”, they could be removed “as inert packages”.He suggested that if rescue divers could fit the boys with full-face masks and air bottles “and perhaps restrain them so they can’t move and struggle”, they could be removed “as inert packages”.
The front pages of the English language Thai newspapers today report the difficulties of the rescue attempt ahead.The front pages of the English language Thai newspapers today report the difficulties of the rescue attempt ahead.
First look at this morning’s newspapers in #Thailand (Wednesday 4 July 2018) 🔹 Bangkok Post - Exit dive a perilous prospect 🔹 The Nation - Evacuation poses challenge👉 More news: https://t.co/OluqA5RbeH & https://t.co/w1Z2oeNLu2 #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว #ถ้ำหลวง pic.twitter.com/MY1p47VDYJFirst look at this morning’s newspapers in #Thailand (Wednesday 4 July 2018) 🔹 Bangkok Post - Exit dive a perilous prospect 🔹 The Nation - Evacuation poses challenge👉 More news: https://t.co/OluqA5RbeH & https://t.co/w1Z2oeNLu2 #ThamLuang #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว #ถ้ำหลวง pic.twitter.com/MY1p47VDYJ
The Nation has the headline: “Evacuation poses challenge”. The Bangkok Post splash is “Exit dive a perilous prospect” and report:The Nation has the headline: “Evacuation poses challenge”. The Bangkok Post splash is “Exit dive a perilous prospect” and report:
Bringing 12 weakened boys who can’t swim let alone dive and their football coach out of flooded Tham Luang cave remains a perilous prospect given the extreme conditions – strong currents, mud, zero visibility and at least a 2.5-kilometre swim – cave-diving experts said last night.Bringing 12 weakened boys who can’t swim let alone dive and their football coach out of flooded Tham Luang cave remains a perilous prospect given the extreme conditions – strong currents, mud, zero visibility and at least a 2.5-kilometre swim – cave-diving experts said last night.
As the nation continued to rejoice at the news of all the boys, who are aged 11-16, being found alive at 9.38pm on Monday night after an exhausting 10-day search, spirits were dampened at the prospect of having to keep them in the labyrinthine cave network in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district for up to four more months due to the coming monsoon.As the nation continued to rejoice at the news of all the boys, who are aged 11-16, being found alive at 9.38pm on Monday night after an exhausting 10-day search, spirits were dampened at the prospect of having to keep them in the labyrinthine cave network in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district for up to four more months due to the coming monsoon.
As with yesterday, please send me any tips or questions about today’s coverage of the search. I can be reached via Twitter or on kate.lyons@theguardian.comAs with yesterday, please send me any tips or questions about today’s coverage of the search. I can be reached via Twitter or on kate.lyons@theguardian.com
It has now been more than 24 hours since the young football team and their coach were found by divers. While there has been great relief and celebrations across the country at the news that all 12 boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach are alive and in relatively good health, removing them from the cave network safely presents huge challenges for the international rescue dive teams.It has now been more than 24 hours since the young football team and their coach were found by divers. While there has been great relief and celebrations across the country at the news that all 12 boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach are alive and in relatively good health, removing them from the cave network safely presents huge challenges for the international rescue dive teams.
Pattaya Beach, the section of the cave where the boys are sheltering on a mud bank, is 5km into the 10km cave network and the conditions of the dive are treacherous, with almost no visibility and rushing waters.Pattaya Beach, the section of the cave where the boys are sheltering on a mud bank, is 5km into the 10km cave network and the conditions of the dive are treacherous, with almost no visibility and rushing waters.
Initially, Thai officials talked about leaving the boys in the cave until the monsoon season had passed and water levels had dropped, making the exit dive safer. The Thai navy Seals, who are leading the operation, said the trapped boys and their coach, had been given easily-digested food to last them for four months.Initially, Thai officials talked about leaving the boys in the cave until the monsoon season had passed and water levels had dropped, making the exit dive safer. The Thai navy Seals, who are leading the operation, said the trapped boys and their coach, had been given easily-digested food to last them for four months.
However, monsoon rains are expected to continue this week and so there are talks that it may be necessary to launch a rescue mission soon.However, monsoon rains are expected to continue this week and so there are talks that it may be necessary to launch a rescue mission soon.
Thailand’s interior minister, Anupong Paojinda, suggested the rescue attempt will be made over the next day or so, before a fresh downpour of monsoon rain is expected. He said: “As rain is forecast in the next few days, the evacuation must speed up. Diving gear will be used. If the water rises, the task will be difficult. We must bring the kids out before then.”Thailand’s interior minister, Anupong Paojinda, suggested the rescue attempt will be made over the next day or so, before a fresh downpour of monsoon rain is expected. He said: “As rain is forecast in the next few days, the evacuation must speed up. Diving gear will be used. If the water rises, the task will be difficult. We must bring the kids out before then.”
Rescuers have appealed for 15 small and extra small full face masks, fuelling speculation that divers are preparing to lead them to safety through the flooded stretch of the cave. A rescuer told reporters that it was too dangerous to use conventional breathing apparatus as this could easily be knocked out during the dive.Rescuers have appealed for 15 small and extra small full face masks, fuelling speculation that divers are preparing to lead them to safety through the flooded stretch of the cave. A rescuer told reporters that it was too dangerous to use conventional breathing apparatus as this could easily be knocked out during the dive.
Seal commander Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew confirmed a dive out to safety was one of several options being considered. If it were employed, he said they “have to be certain that it will work and have to have a drill to make that it’s 100% safe.”Seal commander Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew confirmed a dive out to safety was one of several options being considered. If it were employed, he said they “have to be certain that it will work and have to have a drill to make that it’s 100% safe.”
Here’s what else we know to catch you up for the day ahead.Here’s what else we know to catch you up for the day ahead.
A team of rescuers, including a doctor and a nurse, have reached 12 boys and their football coach, who have been trapped in a cave complex in Thailand for 10 days. They were found alive in the Tham Luang cave network by British divers on Monday.A team of rescuers, including a doctor and a nurse, have reached 12 boys and their football coach, who have been trapped in a cave complex in Thailand for 10 days. They were found alive in the Tham Luang cave network by British divers on Monday.
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.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.
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 since the boys were reported missing. 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 jubilation in Thailand at the news the boys and their coach are alive, especially among relatives who have been keeping vigil outside the entrance since the boys were reported missing. 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.
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.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.