Boys may come out one by one

A Thai official overseeing the rescue operation of a football team trapped in a flooded cave said the 12 boys and their coach may not all be extracted at the same time depending on their health.

Chiang Rai provincial Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn said yesterday that ‘‘all 13 may not come out at the same time. If the condition is right and if that person is ready 100 per cent, he can come out’’. He said authorities will evaluate their readiness each day and if there is any risk will not proceed.

Narongsak said that the boys had been practising wearing diving masks and breathing, but he doesn’t believe they have attempted any practice dives.

The boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach disappeared after they went exploring in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in northern Chiang Rai province after a football game on June 23. The team-mates, who were trapped inside when heavy rains flooded the cave, were found by rescue divers Monday night during a desperate search that drew assistance from experts around the globe.

Authorities said the boys were being looked after by seven members of the Thai navy SEALs, including medics, who were staying with them inside the cave. They were mostly in stable condition and have received highprotein drinks.

Seeing the boys has boosted the mood of their family members, and officials are working to install an internet cable to the cave so that parents can talk to their children.

Kian Kamluang, whose 16-year-old son, Pornchai, is in the cave, said she had thought there was a 50 per cent chance that her son would be found.

‘‘It’s like he has been given a

new life,’’ she said, adding that she’ll never let her son go into a cave or near water again.

Those waiting for the boys to come out included a group of students who are friends with some of the boys trapped inside, who sang a song in front of the entrance to show their support.

Several religious figures have also shown up, the most popular being a famous Buddhist monk, Kruba Boonchum, who when he first visited the scene had predicted that the boys would be found this week.

He returned yesterday to offer prayers for their safe rescue, and as measure of the respect in which he was held, was allowed access to the cave, which is generally off-limits to outsiders.

‘‘If the condition is right and if that person is ready 100 per cent, he can come out.’’ Narongsak Osatanakorn, Chiang Rai provincial Governor