Relief and joy as 12 boys are rescued from flooded cave
12 boys trapped in a flooded Thai cave are freed
On 10 July, 12 boys and their football coach were rescued from a flooded cave in northern Thailand. They had been trapped there for more than two weeks. News that the incredible mission had been a success was greeted with joy around the world.
What happened?
A football team called the Moo Pa (Wild Boars) academy team, made up of 12 boys aged 11–16, decided to explore Thailand’s Tham Luang cave with their coach after football practice on 23 June. Heavy rain caused the water in the cave to rise, forcing the group to go deeper into the cave system and then trapping them inside. On 2 July, after days of searching, the group was found by two British divers two miles inside the cave. The divers had come specially to help Thai Navy Seal special forces. The boys were sent food and other supplies while the authorities worked out how to rescue them.
What did the rescue involve?
Getting in and out of the cave was extremely difficult. Some sections of the two-mile-long route involved diving through narrow spaces – one as narrow as 40 centimetres wide – as well as climbing in darkness. Some of the boys didn’t even know how to swim, let alone complete an incredibly risky dive. On 5 July, before any of the boys were brought out, a Thai Navy Seal diver who was supplying oxygen to the boys, died after running out of oxygen himself. Tributes have been paid to him and a special funeral has been arranged.
How did they do it?
The boys had to wear a wetsuit, full-face scuba mask, boots and a helmet. Each boy was accompanied by two divers – the one at the front was tethered to the boy and carried his oxygen tank, while the second diver followed behind. They were guided through the flooded parts of the cave by a rope and carried on stretchers through the dry parts. It took divers several hours each day to rescue the boys, and they had to pause overnight in order to replace their air tanks. One by one, as they emerged over the course of three days, the boys and their coach were rushed to a hospital for medical check-ups and treatment. They will remain in hospital for at least a week.
What happens now?
The boys and their coach are reported to be recovering well following their terrifying experience. According to reports, some of the boys asked for chocolate spread on bread, which the hospital provided, and they had to wear sunglasses while their eyes got used to the light. The doctors have said they will be able to watch the World Cup final on television. Manchester United Football Club has invited the boys – many of whom are fans – to visit once they are well enough. For now, the focus is on making sure they recover from their ordeal.