The first footage of the boys rescued from a cave in northern Thailand has surfaced, showing them waving from the hospital where they are recovering.
The youngsters and their coach had been stuck in the cave since 23 June, after rising water levels trapped within the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex in Chiang Rai. They were discovered by a team of British divers on Monday, prompting an urgent, meticulously-planned rescue operation.
Advert
Since being rescued, they have been recovering in hospital, having been taken straight there after emerging from the cave. Although it's early days, reports suggest that the boys are in 'good health' following their ordeal - and judging by the high spirits seen in the footage, things are only improving, which is great to see.
Since their rescue, many reports have emerged detailing the heroes that helped save them - including four Thai Navy Seals that had gone in, who were pictured afterwards looking suitably badass.
Giving a thumbs up to the camera, dressed head-to-toe in black with sunglasses, they look more like something out of a Mission Impossible film than a real-life rescue operation - we're waiting for Tom Cruise to appear on a zip line behind them.
Advert
Posting the photo to the official Thai Navy Seals Facebook page, the photo was captioned: "All 4 Thai Navy SEALs came out safely."
Another of their rescuers was Aussie doctor Richard 'Harry' Harris, who ditched his holiday in Thailand and volunteered to help, making his way over to the caves before going in to assess the boys' health.
He then stayed with them for three days.
Harris helped pull together the complicated rescue plan, and it was under Harris' direction that the weakest boys were brought out of the cave first. And as well as that, he's believed to be one of the last of the rescue team to come out of the cave.
Advert
Brit Jason Mallinson, who hails from Huddersfield, also took part in all three of the dives that brought the boys out from the flooded caves, the Huddersfield Examiner reports.
In a statement, the parents of the 50-year-old, Ray and Anne Mallinson, said: "We are very proud of Jason. He went out on Wednesday with half a tonne of equipment.
"We know he is one of the four British lead divers that brought them out.
Advert
"They know each other really well. The whole family is very proud of him."
Let's just hope the boys' health continues to improve and that they can get out of hospital soon to be reunited with the world.
Featured Image Credit: Thai Navy SealsTopics: World News, News, Inspirational, Thailand