Bangkok, July 8: Three members of a Thai football team, who trapped along with their coach deep inside a flooded cave in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, have been rescued, reported Rusters quoting local officials. The rescue mission to bring other boys from the cave was underway.

Earlier today, Chiang Rai Governor, Narongsak Osotthanakorn said it was a d-day for the mission. "Our readiness is at the highest today. Today is D-day," he said. An international contingent of 13 specialist divers descended into the watery network of underground tunnels to rescue the trapped boys and their coach.

Earlier, the rescuers used  a giant water pump into cave to withdraw water out. With more rain coming, Thai rescuers are racing against time to pump out water from a flooded cave before they can rescue soccer boys and their coach with minimum risk.

The boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach, are huddled together in a small chamber 4 km inside the cave, surrounded by flood water and with a limited supply of oxygen.

They went missing on June 23 after they had entered the cave complex when the weather was fine. However, they became trapped when a sudden rainfall flooded the narrow tunnels.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2018 05:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).