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| Thailand cave rescue: fresh video emerges of football team in good spirits – as it happened | |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| We are going to pause our live reporting of the search for the time being. Our latest report is here and here is everything we know so far. | We are going to pause our live reporting of the search for the time being. Our latest report is here and here is everything we know so far. |
| Our correspondent, Michael Safi, is on the ground in Mae Sai and you can follow him on Twitter here. | Our correspondent, Michael Safi, is on the ground in Mae Sai and you can follow him on Twitter here. |
| We will continue to cover this story over the next hours, days or weeks – however long it goes on for – so do check back in for more news on this extraordinary rescue mission. | We will continue to cover this story over the next hours, days or weeks – however long it goes on for – so do check back in for more news on this extraordinary rescue mission. |
| Thai authorities are racing to finalise rescue plans to retrieve 12 boys and their football coach from a Thailand cave before storms forecast for the end of the week, after which an extraction will become “almost impossible” for months, according to one coordinator of the international rescue effort. | Thai authorities are racing to finalise rescue plans to retrieve 12 boys and their football coach from a Thailand cave before storms forecast for the end of the week, after which an extraction will become “almost impossible” for months, according to one coordinator of the international rescue effort. |
| The boys, none of who can swim, are being trained in how to breathe through diving masks but none have made any attempt to get through the water hemming them in. | The boys, none of who can swim, are being trained in how to breathe through diving masks but none have made any attempt to get through the water hemming them in. |
| Authorities said they appeared mentally and physically healthy after receiving food and water supplies, but were yet to speak to their parents after the waterproof seal of a phone sent into the narrow, muddy cave system was breached, ruining the device. | Authorities said they appeared mentally and physically healthy after receiving food and water supplies, but were yet to speak to their parents after the waterproof seal of a phone sent into the narrow, muddy cave system was breached, ruining the device. |
| Michael Safi’s full report is here. | Michael Safi’s full report is here. |
| Medics are about to stage a rehearsal of a future rescue attempt at the entrance to the cave network. | Medics are about to stage a rehearsal of a future rescue attempt at the entrance to the cave network. |
| The BBC reporter on the ground has shared video of members of the Thai military forming a “ring of steel’ at the cave complex “to allow medics to stage a rehearsal of what they’ll do when there’s a rescue attempt”. | The BBC reporter on the ground has shared video of members of the Thai military forming a “ring of steel’ at the cave complex “to allow medics to stage a rehearsal of what they’ll do when there’s a rescue attempt”. |
| A rehearsal for a future rescue is about to take place at #ThamLuang #Thamluangcave #Thailand To be clear: this is a practice run, the boys & coach are still trapped in the cave. pic.twitter.com/KYbPteOSzv | A rehearsal for a future rescue is about to take place at #ThamLuang #Thamluangcave #Thailand To be clear: this is a practice run, the boys & coach are still trapped in the cave. pic.twitter.com/KYbPteOSzv |
| The military form a ring of steel at the cave complex where the boys are stuck - to allow medics to stage a rehearsal of what they’ll do when there’s a rescue attempt. #thamluangcave #thamluang #ถ้ำหลวง #13ชีวิตติดถ้ำ pic.twitter.com/Hp092Qvb5C | The military form a ring of steel at the cave complex where the boys are stuck - to allow medics to stage a rehearsal of what they’ll do when there’s a rescue attempt. #thamluangcave #thamluang #ถ้ำหลวง #13ชีวิตติดถ้ำ pic.twitter.com/Hp092Qvb5C |
| The Thai official overseeing the rescue operation of a soccer team trapped in a flooded cave says the boys have been practicing wearing diving masks and breathing. | The Thai official overseeing the rescue operation of a soccer team trapped in a flooded cave says the boys have been practicing wearing diving masks and breathing. |
| Officials have said that teaching the 12 boys and their coach to dive may be the only way to get them out of the cave, but other options are being explored. | Officials have said that teaching the 12 boys and their coach to dive may be the only way to get them out of the cave, but other options are being explored. |
| Chiang Rai provincial governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said on Wednesday that while the team has been practicing with masks, he doesn’t believe they have attempted any practice dives. | Chiang Rai provincial governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said on Wednesday that while the team has been practicing with masks, he doesn’t believe they have attempted any practice dives. |
| He said it is unknown when an extraction could be attempted, but it is unlikely to be Wednesday and that any extraction has to be “100 percent safe.” | He said it is unknown when an extraction could be attempted, but it is unlikely to be Wednesday and that any extraction has to be “100 percent safe.” |
| Thai officials are uncertain about whether to remove the boys from the cave, which would involve a dangerous 2.5km dive in difficult conditions. | Thai officials are uncertain about whether to remove the boys from the cave, which would involve a dangerous 2.5km dive in difficult conditions. |
| Officials are also discussing leaving the 12 boys and their football coach in the cave until the monsoon season has ended and water levels have dropped. | Officials are also discussing leaving the 12 boys and their football coach in the cave until the monsoon season has ended and water levels have dropped. |
| 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. | 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. |
| If water levels rise further, as they are set to in the coming weeks, the group could become cut off from the entrance of the cave, unable to communicate with the outside or receive supplies, warned the coordinator of the Thai rescue dive team. | If water levels rise further, as they are set to in the coming weeks, the group could become cut off from the entrance of the cave, unable to communicate with the outside or receive supplies, warned the coordinator of the Thai rescue dive team. |
| No rescue attempt will be made on Wednesday, but the weather is perfect for an attempt this week, so preparations will continue, announced the governor of Chiang Rai province, Narongsak Osottanakorn. | No rescue attempt will be made on Wednesday, but the weather is perfect for an attempt this week, so preparations will continue, announced the governor of Chiang Rai province, Narongsak Osottanakorn. |
| Two videos of the group were shared on Wednesday by the Thai Navy SEALS. In one, the boys greet the camera, introducing themselves and thanking rescuers. In another, a Thai navy diver is treating small cuts on the boys feet and legs. They are shown wrapped in foil blankets, but in good spirits. | Two videos of the group were shared on Wednesday by the Thai Navy SEALS. In one, the boys greet the camera, introducing themselves and thanking rescuers. In another, a Thai navy diver is treating small cuts on the boys feet and legs. They are shown wrapped in foil blankets, but in good spirits. |
| Divers will stay with the group while they wait to be extracted | Divers will stay with the group while they wait to be extracted |
| A medical team has assessed the health of the trapped boys and their coach and reported back that they are all in good health or having only “light” injuries. | A medical team has assessed the health of the trapped boys and their coach and reported back that they are all in good health or having only “light” injuries. |
| 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 on Saturday 23 June. | 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 on Saturday 23 June. |
| The Thai prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, wished the group a “safe and speedy recovery” and thanked the rescuers, including the foreign teams who have flocked from Australia, Japan, the US and Britain to help with the search. | The Thai prime minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, wished the group a “safe and speedy recovery” 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. | 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. | They were found on Monday night after a nine-day round-the-clock search involving international teams of divers. |
| There has been a long (and long-awaited) press conference at the entrance to the cave. Michael Safi is sending through reports from it. | There has been a long (and long-awaited) press conference at the entrance to the cave. Michael Safi is sending through reports from it. |
| There is no firm date to rescue the boys, said an army spokesman. More water was being removed from the cave than was seeping in, but the levels had not dropped enough to make extraction safe. | There is no firm date to rescue the boys, said an army spokesman. More water was being removed from the cave than was seeping in, but the levels had not dropped enough to make extraction safe. |
| There has been no contact between the boys and their families so far. A phone was sent into the caves but the seal around the phone was destroyed by the waves and water flooded in. | There has been no contact between the boys and their families so far. A phone was sent into the caves but the seal around the phone was destroyed by the waves and water flooded in. |
| The spokesman said the children are doing well and so is the coach, they know a huge crowd is waiting for them outside. | The spokesman said the children are doing well and so is the coach, they know a huge crowd is waiting for them outside. |
| A priority in the rescue mission is getting the kids in touch with their parents. “Then lots of pressure will be relieved,” said the army spokesman. | A priority in the rescue mission is getting the kids in touch with their parents. “Then lots of pressure will be relieved,” said the army spokesman. |
| Doctors have dealt with small outer wounds that the boys have suffered and are being trained in how to keep spirits high. | Doctors have dealt with small outer wounds that the boys have suffered and are being trained in how to keep spirits high. |
| The boys are currently on high ground and are safe, but if water levels rise further, they could become cut off from the entrance of the cave, unable to communicate with the outside or receive supplies. | The boys are currently on high ground and are safe, but if water levels rise further, they could become cut off from the entrance of the cave, unable to communicate with the outside or receive supplies. |
| Ruengrit Changkwankyuen, the coordinator of the Thai contingent of the international cave diving team that found the boys, told Michael Safi that while the boys are on safe high ground if the cave continues to flood there will be 5km of water between where they are stranded and the entrance. | Ruengrit Changkwankyuen, the coordinator of the Thai contingent of the international cave diving team that found the boys, told Michael Safi that while the boys are on safe high ground if the cave continues to flood there will be 5km of water between where they are stranded and the entrance. |
| “If that happens it will be almost impossible to send supplies or keep in touch with them,” said Ruengrit. | “If that happens it will be almost impossible to send supplies or keep in touch with them,” said Ruengrit. |
| The governor has also announced that the children won’t be rescued all at once. He also said that the communication cables officials had been hoping to establish into the cave to allow parents to communicate with their children have not been able to be established and so parents have still not been able to talk to their children. | The governor has also announced that the children won’t be rescued all at once. He also said that the communication cables officials had been hoping to establish into the cave to allow parents to communicate with their children have not been able to be established and so parents have still not been able to talk to their children. |
| Narongsak Osottanakorn, the governor of Chiang Rai province, has announced that no rescue attempt will be made today but the weather is perfect for a rescue attempt this week, so preparations will continue. | Narongsak Osottanakorn, the governor of Chiang Rai province, has announced that no rescue attempt will be made today but the weather is perfect for a rescue attempt this week, so preparations will continue. |
| Another video of the boys, showing them being given medical treatment for cuts of their feet and legs, has been shared on Facebook. | Another video of the boys, showing them being given medical treatment for cuts of their feet and legs, has been shared on Facebook. |
| The video, which goes for two minutes, shows a man wearing a wetsuit with a Royal Thai jumper over the top, applying what looks like iodine to the boys feet and legs. The camera pans around the group, showing some of the boys asleep in the cave, others smile and pull faces at the camera. | The video, which goes for two minutes, shows a man wearing a wetsuit with a Royal Thai jumper over the top, applying what looks like iodine to the boys feet and legs. The camera pans around the group, showing some of the boys asleep in the cave, others smile and pull faces at the camera. |
| The video was shared by Siraphop Srakaew who says he works for the network disaster relief centre, in the Thai ministry of defence and not by the Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page, like the other videos of the boys seen so far. | The video was shared by Siraphop Srakaew who says he works for the network disaster relief centre, in the Thai ministry of defence and not by the Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page, like the other videos of the boys seen so far. |
| Michael Safi is at the cave site and has this description of the scene. | Michael Safi is at the cave site and has this description of the scene. |
| About 36 hours since world learned a group of 12 Thai boys and their football coach were alive inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex, the surrounding site is blanketed with nurses, soldiers, rescue workers and police. | About 36 hours since world learned a group of 12 Thai boys and their football coach were alive inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex, the surrounding site is blanketed with nurses, soldiers, rescue workers and police. |
| Blue pipes are gushing water that is being pumped from inside the site and rain clouds are gathering above the area, a reminder that everyone here is engaged in a race against time to retrieve the 13 people. | Blue pipes are gushing water that is being pumped from inside the site and rain clouds are gathering above the area, a reminder that everyone here is engaged in a race against time to retrieve the 13 people. |
| Divers were dropped off at the entrance of the cave at about 8:35am local time and a pig’s head has been brought to the rescue site in Tham Luang as a sacrifice to ensure the speedy recovery of the boys. | Divers were dropped off at the entrance of the cave at about 8:35am local time and a pig’s head has been brought to the rescue site in Tham Luang as a sacrifice to ensure the speedy recovery of the boys. |
| A pig's head arrives at the rescue site in #ThamLuang as a sacrifice to ensure the speedy recovery of the boys @MsKateLyons pic.twitter.com/k8y5bVLy8q | A pig's head arrives at the rescue site in #ThamLuang as a sacrifice to ensure the speedy recovery of the boys @MsKateLyons pic.twitter.com/k8y5bVLy8q |
| The new video, posted this morning by the Thai Navy SEALs, shows the boys looking more relaxed than the first video, which emerged at the time they were found by British divers, on Monday night. | The new video, posted this morning by the Thai Navy SEALs, shows the boys looking more relaxed than the first video, which emerged at the time they were found by British divers, on Monday night. |
| In the video, the boys clasp their hands together in a Thai greeting, introduce themselves and thank their rescuers. They seem calm and at one point break into laughter when one boy says he got missed out when they were going around and introducing themselves. | In the video, the boys clasp their hands together in a Thai greeting, introduce themselves and thank their rescuers. They seem calm and at one point break into laughter when one boy says he got missed out when they were going around and introducing themselves. |
| Some stills from the video are below: | Some stills from the video are below: |
| Video showing the first sign of divers today has been taken by Michael Safi, our south Asia correspondent, who is on the ground at the rescue site. | Video showing the first sign of divers today has been taken by Michael Safi, our south Asia correspondent, who is on the ground at the rescue site. |
| Safi understands that this group of divers was dropped off at the entrance to the cave around 8:35am local time. | Safi understands that this group of divers was dropped off at the entrance to the cave around 8:35am local time. |
| First sign of divers on Tuesday morning around 8.35am local time @MsKateLyons pic.twitter.com/K22DLbvXej | First sign of divers on Tuesday morning around 8.35am local time @MsKateLyons pic.twitter.com/K22DLbvXej |
| He is still standing by for the announcement from the governor of Chiang Rai province Narongsak Osottanakorn, which was meant to happen 40 minutes ago. We’ll provide updates as soon as they are available. | He is still standing by for the announcement from the governor of Chiang Rai province Narongsak Osottanakorn, which was meant to happen 40 minutes ago. We’ll provide updates as soon as they are available. |
| Thai tourism and conservation bodies are already talking about what will happen to the cave network after the rescue efforts have concluded. | Thai tourism and conservation bodies are already talking about what will happen to the cave network after the rescue efforts have concluded. |
| The Bangkok Post reports that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes to capitalise on the international attention on the caves over the last week and that tourists will flock to the area. | The Bangkok Post reports that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes to capitalise on the international attention on the caves over the last week and that tourists will flock to the area. |
| “After the rescue team found the 12 young football players and their coach on Monday night, the cave has become of interest for both local and foreign travellers,” Karuna Dechatiwong, TAT director at the Chiang Rai office told the Bangkok Post. | “After the rescue team found the 12 young football players and their coach on Monday night, the cave has become of interest for both local and foreign travellers,” Karuna Dechatiwong, TAT director at the Chiang Rai office told the Bangkok Post. |
| She said the TAT are looking to creating a new route to the cave and to other villages nearby to increase tourist traffic to the area. | She said the TAT are looking to creating a new route to the cave and to other villages nearby to increase tourist traffic to the area. |
| Thai PBS reports that after the rescue operation has been completed the department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation will carry out rehabilitation of Tham Luang cave to repair all the damage done during rescue operations and that the department was keen to further develop the cave into a national park. | Thai PBS reports that after the rescue operation has been completed the department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation will carry out rehabilitation of Tham Luang cave to repair all the damage done during rescue operations and that the department was keen to further develop the cave into a national park. |