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More Boys Rescued from Flooded Thai Cave

by VOA News

   At least five boys out of a group of 12 and their soccer coach have
   been rescued after being trapped in a flooded Thai cave for more than
   two weeks.

   The first four boys, rescued by divers Sunday, were airlifted to a
   hospital in Chiang Rai, and the fifth, brought out of the cave Monday,
   is expected to join them after initial treatment in a field hospital
   near the Tham Luang caves. Unconfirmed reports say three more boys were
   rescued Monday.

   The children's families have not been told which boys have been rescued

   Interior Minister Anupong Paojina said the same divers who participated
   in Sunday's rescue are conducting the operation Monday because they are
   familiar with the cave conditions. The group is stranded about four
   kilometers inside the cave.

   Loud cheers broke out when the acting governor of Thailand's Chiang Rai
   state, Narongsak Osatanakorn, announced Sunday that the first boys had
   been brought out of the cave.

   Following the initial rescues, the operation was paused for about 10
   hours while divers replenished air tanks along the exit tunnel.

   Thirteen international divers and five Thai Navy SEALs are involved in
   the rescue operation.

   One volunteer, former Thai Navy SEAL Saman Gunan, died Friday while
   placing spare air tanks along the escape route. He ran out of air
   trying to swim out of the cave.

   None of the trapped boys have ever been diving before and some do not
   even know how to swim. Two divers are helping each one make his way
   through very narrow tunnels that twist and turn, and filled with dark
   muddy water. It takes the divers about eight hours to get into the
   cave, reach the boys, and bring them back out.

   The divers also brought out touching notes for the families written by
   some of the trapped boys.

   One boy asked for a fried chicken dinner. Another reminded his parents
   not to forget his birthday party, while a third said he misses his
   entire family, but described himself as "happy."

   The anxious families say they have forgiven 25-year-old soccer coach
   Ekapol Chanthawong who led the boys on what was supposed to be an
   innocent adventure in cave exploring more than two weeks ago.

   Monsoon rains have started falling again, causing water levels inside
   the cave to rise, squeezing the boys in an ever shrinking space inside
   the cave, and causing oxygen levels to drop.

   The experts say if the boys are not rescued over the next few days,
   they may have to wait inside the cave for months before the rains ease
   up and another rescue attempt is made.