Rescuers Begin Operation to Rescue Thai Boys Trapped in Cave

Rescuers Begin Operation to Rescue Thai Boys Trapped in Cave
Boys from the under-16 soccer team trapped inside Tham Luang cave covered in hypothermia blankets react to the camera in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in this still image taken from a July 3, 2018 video by Thai Navy Seal. (Thai Navy Seal/Handout via Reuters TV)
Reuters
7/8/2018
Updated:
7/8/2018

THAM LUANG, Thailand—Divers began an operation to rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a cave complex in northern Thailand, the head of the rescue mission said on Sunday.

Rescuers began the mission at 10 a.m. local time and it may take many hours before the first boy emerged from the cave, Narongsak Osottanakorn, head of the rescue mission, told reporters.

Osottanakorn said at a press briefing: “Today we are most ready. Today is D-Day. Today at 10am, 13 foreign divers went in to extract the children, along with five [Thai] navy Seals.

“As we look at the weather forecast, a storm is coming and torrential rain is expected, then our 100% readiness will decrease and we will have to pump the water out again.

“As for the kid factor, the kids are very determined and they are of high spirit. All 13 kids have been informed about the operation and they are ready to come out. They firmly decided to come out with us.

“The families of the kids have been informed and they agree with us.

“We’ve rehearsed [the medical preparations] for the past three to four days. We even practiced with a real kid—practicing the position of O2 tank and the marking ... I assure you that we are very ready in this mission.

“I ask you all to patiently wait for news and send support and wish them success.”