Danger not over for rescued Thai boys

IT WAS one of the most daring and dangerous rescue operations ever attempted, and captured worldwide attention.

Trapped inside a flooded, complex cave system for 17 agonising days, 4km from the entrance, we expected the worst. We thought the 12 boys and their coach would never see the light of day again and were certain to be entombed alive and die a slow, painful death deep in the bowels of the earth.

As perilous as the rescue mission seemed, the Thai government never wavered. It remained undaunted and set in motion an international rescue operation.

It involved the co-ordination of 90 overseas divers and Thai navy SEALs and various support teams skilled in working in such hazardous conditions in the pitch-black darkness of the flooded caves. There was even a diver from KwaZuluNatal on the team. Every detail of the operation was carefully planned and executed. Nothing was left to chance.

For the sake of the boys, the families, the whole Thai nation and, in fact, the entire world, there was no question of failure. It had to succeed. As the rescue mission got under way over three days, the world held its breath. The Thais prayed like never before and their prayers were answered. As the last of the boys emerged from the cave, the world could breathe again. The Thais were jubilant.

Except for one tragedy, where a Thai navy SEAL suffocated in the eerie underworld, the rescue team pulled off a remarkable feat, bringing all 12 boys and their coach back to safety. Mission impossible accomplished.

But the boys better beware. Fame and fortune could come at a cost. Their world could turn into a nightmare. Sharks could be waiting to snap them up. From the depths of the cave to the dazzling world of celebrity stars, the boys will be inundated with offers from the media, the greedy film industry and conmen eager to cash-in on their story. Hollywood cannot wait. THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN

Silverglen