'Fifth Thai Boy Rescued' From Cave According To Reports

A fifth Thai boy has been rescued after becoming trapped in a cave with his youth football team.

Yesterday, four of the 13 people trapped, which included 12 children and an adult coach, were rescued and taken to hospital.

The rescue mission paused overnight to give the divers a chance to rest and to refill oxygen equipment. It has now been reported a fifth person has been rescued and taken to hospital via ambulance.

According to the Guardian, a source within the rescue operation has confirmed that a 'fifth boy' was taken from the cave 'not long ago'. Reporter Michael Safi said there were cheers from any of the volunteers near to the site.

Reuters reports that a Royal Thai Navy official has also confirmed the news.

The boys and their coach went missing on 23 June after going to explore the caves, with many people fearing the worst as the days dragged on with no word on their whereabouts. However, they were found alive and miraculously well and a massive international rescue mission began.

The cave system has flooded, due to heavy rainfall, so expert divers have been brought in to get to the boys and bring them to safety.

PA

Four of those trapped were rescued yesterday and rushed to hospital where a doctor has said they are in 'good overall health', despite what they've been through.

It's an anxious wait for the families of the young boys, with the father of one of the boys, 38-year-old Somboon Sompiangjai, telling 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.

"I'm hoping for good news today."

Speaking earlier today, Narongsak Osatanakorn - who is the Governor of Chiang Rai province and head of the joint command centre coordinating the rescue - said: "At 11am we sent the second team. The factors are as good as yesterday [and] the rescue team is the same team with a few replacements for those exhausted."

Yesterday, he praised the hard-work of the rescuers and thanked the public for their ongoing support.

"Our operation was more successful than we expected," he said. "We ask to pray that this operation is a success.

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

Source: The Guardian

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