Thai cave drama ends
BANGKOK — World leaders and football stars joined the global outpouring of relief and congratulations at the astounding rescue of a young football team and their coach from a flooded Thai cave.
The boys and their coach were found by a British cave diving team after more than a week underground.
US President Donald Trump was among the first to congratulate the Thai Navy SEALs who spearheaded the mammoth international rescue effort at the ThamLuang cave complex in northern Thailand.
"On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the Thai Navy SEALs and all on the successful rescue of the 12 boys and their coach from the treacherous cave in Thailand," Trump tweeted. "Such a beautiful moment all freed, great job!"
"Delighted to see the successful rescue of those trapped in the caves in Thailand. The world was watching and will be saluting the bravery of all those involved," British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter.
"Great news that they made it out safely. Congratulations to an outstanding rescue team!" said tech guru Elon Musk, who visited the cave and offered the use of a prototype mini-sub made from rocket parts.
In the end, the sub was not needed and Musk earlier said he would leave it "here in case it may be useful in the future." "Youjuuuu!," exclaimed Chilean miner Mario Sepulveda, who was among 33 miners trapped down a mine for 69 days in 2010.
"I feel a lot a lot of emotion. What can I say? I hope these kids will be very successful," he told AFP.
Football's governing body FIFA also welcomed the rescue but said the boys were too weak to attend Sunday's World Cup final in Moscow.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino had invited the boys' Wild Boars football team to the final "as our guests" last week.
But FIFA said it had been informed "that due to medical reasons, the boys will not be in a position to travel to Moscow."
"FIFA's priority remains the health of everyone involved in the operation and we will look into finding a new opportunity to invite the boys to a FIFA event to share with them a moment of communion and celebration," a spokesman said.
"What wonderful news from #Thailand! So much to admire: the perseverance of the brave boys and their coach, the skill and determination of the rescuers," tweeted Steffen Seibert, German chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman.
German football stars Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil also celebrated the rescue, with both describing it on Twitter as "great news".