12 young children and their football coach have been stuck in a partially flooded cave in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province since June 23rd, and they’re beginning to run out of oxygen. The race to save their lives before the monsoon rains hit have since become an international effort!
Here’s a rundown of everything that has happened so far:
June 23rd-26th
Source: ABC News
- The boys, who are aged between 11 and 16 years old, along with their 25-year-old coach Ekkapol Chantawong, went to explore the Tham Luang Nang Non cave after football practice, but did not return home that night. Cave exploring is something they usually do after practices, but this excursion proved costly after they were trapped by the heavy rains.
- The following day (24th June), local authorities found hand and foot prints belonging to the team, while relatives started a vigil outside the cave in hopes that they would be found soon.
Source: Channel News Asia
June 27th- July 1st
- America and Britain joined the local rescue team, and sent in more than 30 American military personnel alongside pararescue and survival specialists. Three British diving experts also joined them. However, the rising floodwaters made it too dangerous for the rescuers, causing them to retreat.
- On the 1st of July, a base was set up near the site to ease operations.
Source: AP News
July 2nd-5th
- The 12 boys and their coach were found alive late Monday evening (2nd July) about 400 metres beyond an air-pocket area called ‘Pattaya Beach’. The following day, divers returned with high-calorie gels and paracetamol.
- On the 4th of July, the team was taught how to use diving masks and breathing apparatus.
- They pumped out water from the cave, reducing water levels by 30 centimetres.
Source: Facebook
July 6th-7th
- On July 6th, former Thai Navy diver, Petty Officer Saman Gunan died while helping deliver oxygen to the team. That’s how deadly the rescue mission is! According to ABC news, the brave rescuer lost consciousness on his way out of one of the passageways because he did not have enough oxygen in his tank to make it back.
- Oxygen levels in the caves also dropped, causing the cramped passageways to be even more deadly than before. The next day (7th July), it was decided by the rescue operation chief Narongsak Osottanakorn that it was not yet safe for the boys to dive out of the cave.
- Meanwhile, a letter of apology from the coach of the football team was delivered to the boys’ parents via the cave divers.
Source: AP News
8th July: D-Day
Source: BBC
- As reported by CNN, operations to extract the team from the cave began at 10am local time. However, rescuers say that the operation could take days because of the difficulty of the situation.
- 4 boys were brought out safely from the cave, but the mission was paused to replace the air tanks.
This entire operation is a remarkable example of mankind’s bravery and compassion from all corners of the globe. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the team and their coach, and all those involved with the rescue will be out safely!
Also read: M’sians Come Together to Save Kids Trapped in School Bus During PJ Flash Flood
