Bangkok, July 9: A day after four boys were rescued from the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai city, another four have been freed, reports said on Monday. With this, only five of the 13-member 'Wild Boars' soccer team is stranded in the caves. The team coach is also among those who are yet to be rescued.

The rescue operation, which is being observed by the entire Thai and international media, has been called off for the day with the setting of the sun. Fresh attempts would be made beginning Tuesday morning to free the boys, as well as the coach.

Chief of the rescue mission, Narongsak Osottanakorn, said the team of five Thai Navy Seal divers and 13 internationally acclaimed cave divers are "leaving no stone unturned to save the boys". On being asked about the identity of the rescued children, he declined to comment, saying it would create anxiety among the parents of those whose wards are yet to be freed.

The soccer team, along with their coach, are stranded several kilometres inside the cave complex. Reports claim they went missing since June 23 when they visited the caves. Due to incessant rainfall, the area inside the caves has been cut-off as floods have engulfed most parts of it.

Authorities on Monday said the rescue mission may take three to four days for completion. The multinational rescue team - with specialised cave divers from US, UK, Russia and other parts of the world - is racing against time to conclude the rescue operation as the oxygen level in the caves is depleting, along with a "very heavy rainfall" warning issued by the weather forecast agency for the upcoming week.

The rescued boys, aged between 11 and 16, are admitted at the Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospital, where their condition is reported to be stable. Neither their identities have been disclosed nor anyone apart from doctors are allowed to meet them fearing the spread of infection.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2018 07:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).