Mission To Rescue Eight Remaining Thai Boys Trapped In Cave Resumes

The mission to rescue the remaining members of the Thai youth football team who are trapped in a cave along their adult coach will restart today, following the successful extraction of four of the boys yesterday.

Eight of the team are still stuck inside the cave system, which is flooded, presenting a challenge for even experienced divers.

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The mission to get the boys out was paused overnight while air tanks are replaced. The four boys who have been rescued so far have been checked over by a doctor who said they are in 'good overall health', the Guardian reports.

They have not yet been allowed to see their families, but an official told the Guardian, they may be reunited later today as long as there is 'no hugging' or 'no touching' until all test results are back.

The team became trapped on 23 June after the caves become flooded due to heavy rainfall.

Today at least seven ambulances and a helicopter have all been spotted at the entrance of the cave system.

The same team of divers who rescued the first four boys will be going back in today, following a rest overnight.

The father of one of the boys, 38-year-old Somboon Sompiangjai, told Reuters: "We have not been told which child has been brought out... We can't visit our boys in hospital because they need to be monitored for 48 hours.

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"I'm hoping for good news today."

NarongsakOsatanakorn - who is the Governor of Chiang Rai province and head of the joint command centre coordinating the rescue - gave a press conference following the rescue of the first four, in which he said: "Our operation was more successful than we expected." He went on to thank people from around the world for their support.

"We ask to pray that this operation is a success," he said.

"The boys are physically and mentally fit to come out. All of the families have been told about today's operation."

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According to Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop, the boys will be brought out in groups of four, so if today's mission goes according to plan, there will be another rescue operation to get the final four.

Source: The Guardian

Topics: World News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19