Thai boys trapped in cave safe, rescue ops continue
The 12 Thai boys trapped since June 23, nearly 3 miles from the mouth of a flooded cave with their soccer coach has gripped the world. The boys were found by British divers.
However, the biggest threat now is time. While an international effort is underway to free them, a Thai ex-Navy Seal diver perished during the rescue efforts. Tech billionaire Elon Musk is also sending specialist engineers to help.
Rescuers have drilled almost 100 shafts into the cave but aren’t optimistic about breaking through to the boys.
Officials worry, that if it keeps raining, it could be four months before the caves are dry enough to allow the kids to walk out.
Officials announced earlier that oxygen levels inside the labyrinthine cavern system are now at 15 per cent — down from the standard level of 21 per cent — putting the kids at risk of hypoxia, which can be fatal.
While efforts to pump out floodwaters are continuing, some Thai officials have indicated that heavy rains forecast for the weekend could force them to decide is the boys should swim and dive out using the same complicated route of narrow passageways through which their rescuers entered.
When oxygen levels dip between 12 and 16%, breathing and heart rate increases. Attention and coordination are diminished even in people who are resting.