Four more boys were rescued on Monday by divers from a flooded cave in northern Thailand, where 12 of them and their soccer coach have been trapped for more than two weeks, authorities said.
Four boys were taken out from the Tham Luang cave complex during a successful first operation on Sunday, while four more were safely brought out on the second day of rescue operation. Now, five people, including coach Ekapol Chantawong remain inside the cave.
During the second phase of the rescue operation, four more boys evacuated safely from the flooded cave in Thailand, reports CNN quoting eye-witnesses. So far, eight boys have been rescued. Four boys and their coach still remain in the cave. The rescue operation has completed for the day.
All eyes are on the mammoth rescue operation of the Thai football team which is in its second phase today. After a 5th boy was rescued and choppered away to the hospital, latest reports say two more boys have been successfully evacuated. The rescue operation is going on at a great speed with 3 boys out on the 2nd day. Now 5 more boys along with the coach remain inside to be rescued.
The second phase of the rescue operation of the Football team from Thailand cave is underway. Now there are unconfirmed reports stating that one more child has been rescued successfully. A witness outside the cave system reported seeing the rescue workers carrying one person out on a stretcher to an ambulance. This person, identity not yet confirmed will be the fifth one to join the four boys who have been rescued on Sunday.
Rescue officials have taken replenished air tanks and the same divers who undertook the operation on Sunday, are carrying out the second phase. Now, 8 more people are still inside waiting to be rescued.
The rescue operations of the remaining 8 boys are underway. Before resuming the operations, the officials had a meeting and it was decided that the same divers who carried out the first operation, will carry on the second one. These divers are aware of the cave conditions and would be in a better position to carry out the rescue. Interior minister Anupong Paojinda said divers will need to place more air canisters on the underwater route.
The Thai Navy SEAL divers have begun the mammoth rescue operation for the remaining 8 boys and their coach. The rescuers have successfully rescued 4 boys and had taken a break to replenish the air tanks. The complex network of the caves and the heavy rainfall is making the rescue mission more gruelling.
The gruelling rescue mission of trapped Thai Football team from Tham Luang Cave will resume after rescuers have managed to bring out 4 boys safely. 8 boys and the coach still remain in, as the rescue mission was halted to refill the air tanks. The exit route along the complicated network of caves is treacherous but the risk of rain and rising water still remains. To get all of them out could take about four days and everyone's hopeful with the successful rescue of the four boys. All of them were taken to the hospital for evaluation in Chiang Rai, the nearest major city. The group along with their coach had gone for an outing and got trapped due to heavy downpour an
Meanwhile, Ekapol Chanthawong, the 25-year-old football coach, the only elder one among the group is said to in a faltering condition. Reports mention that he gave away a majority of the food and water to the kids, to ensure they remain safe. In the process, his own health is affected and he has become weak. When the first batch of rescuers found the boys, all of them were smiling and happy to receive help. They did have their bouts of anxiety and confusion but they still managed to stay calm and those who know the coach said he's calm nature must have influenced the boys. The children and the coach also sent heartwarming notes to their parents eagerly waiting for their return. But right now, all hopes and prayers are on his and the children's health. The children wrote heartwarming notes to their parents which The unfortunate death of one of the Thai Navy SEAL officer, due to lack of oxygen created more fear among the people.
The boys were rescued with the help of full scuba gear. The entire rescue mission is happening under the eyes of Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn, with the help of foreign divers and Thai Navy SEAL officers. Each of the boys is accompanied by two divers, as the water currents are strong. With the rescue mission for the remaining boys resuming in full force, we hope they are successful and make a safe return.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2018 09:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).