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| Thailand cave rescue: Elon Musk offers Boring Company services to help trapped boys - live | Thailand cave rescue: Elon Musk offers Boring Company services to help trapped boys - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Bill Whitehouse, the vice chairman of the British Cave Rescue Council which helped send the British divers who first met the trapped boys, said the death of volunteer rescuer and former Thai Seal, Saman Kunan, is “awful news” and demonstrates how dangerous the operation is. | |
| “It illustrates the dangers in the operation that is being undertaken, it isn’t a walk in the park,” he told the Press Association. | |
| “We don’t know the details of why it has happened, but things can happen. | |
| “It is a very unforgiving environment, if something goes wrong you can’t just pop up to the surface.” | |
| Kunan died during an overnight mission where he was strategically placing oxygen canisters along the mile-long route out, which takes five-hours to traverse, so that the divers can stay underwater for longer. | |
| More than 130 million litres of water has been pumped from the cave this week and the operation will continue throughout the night as servicemen, volunteers and villagers alike work to drain the cave complex. | |
| More than 130 million litres of this stuff pumped from the cave this week #Thamluangcave pic.twitter.com/HCIMkTt2Vp | |
| The Thai authority’s favoured way out for the boys is through the cave passageways but with torrential rain forecast in the coming days it is looking at other options. | |
| Plan B involves drilling a shaft into the cave from above where the boys are situated. Reports from earlier today suggested that the rescue team believed that they were near to finding a viable site to drill down. | |
| Professor Neil Greenberg from the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King’s College London, has described the emotions that the trapped boys are likely to be currently experiencing. | Professor Neil Greenberg from the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King’s College London, has described the emotions that the trapped boys are likely to be currently experiencing. |
| In the days prior to being found, it is likely that the boys and the coach would have experienced a range of emotions including denial, anger, despair, acceptance and bargaining. These are common reactions in people who are trying to come to terms with a hugely stressful event. When the two divers arrived in their cavern, it is likely that, after a moment of disbelief, they would have experienced elation at least in the short term. Now the uncertainty of when and how they might be rescued will be beginning to set in. | In the days prior to being found, it is likely that the boys and the coach would have experienced a range of emotions including denial, anger, despair, acceptance and bargaining. These are common reactions in people who are trying to come to terms with a hugely stressful event. When the two divers arrived in their cavern, it is likely that, after a moment of disbelief, they would have experienced elation at least in the short term. Now the uncertainty of when and how they might be rescued will be beginning to set in. |
| However, there are a wide range of factors which might influence how they cope prior to them being ultimately rescued including team spirit, their health and the approach that the rescuers take to getting them to safety. It is also likely, given their age, that the nature of their communication with their families will also affect the children; anxiety expressed by their families could easily erode a child’s resilience. On the other hand a positive, “it’ll be just fine” approach may be an effective way of allaying their fears. | However, there are a wide range of factors which might influence how they cope prior to them being ultimately rescued including team spirit, their health and the approach that the rescuers take to getting them to safety. It is also likely, given their age, that the nature of their communication with their families will also affect the children; anxiety expressed by their families could easily erode a child’s resilience. On the other hand a positive, “it’ll be just fine” approach may be an effective way of allaying their fears. |
| Greenberg goes on to say how many of the group may find it difficult to return to normal, while the coach may fear how he will be judged. | Greenberg goes on to say how many of the group may find it difficult to return to normal, while the coach may fear how he will be judged. |
| The coach may of course be concerned about how he will be judged when the situation is finally over. In the longer term, it may well be that many of the group will find it challenging to ‘return to normal’ when they are initially freed, however chances are most will be fine, perhaps even psychologically stronger in the longer term. We have to hope that if any of them do stay distressed for an extended period when released that they will be able to access good support and professional care to ensure that they are returned to a good state of health.” | The coach may of course be concerned about how he will be judged when the situation is finally over. In the longer term, it may well be that many of the group will find it challenging to ‘return to normal’ when they are initially freed, however chances are most will be fine, perhaps even psychologically stronger in the longer term. We have to hope that if any of them do stay distressed for an extended period when released that they will be able to access good support and professional care to ensure that they are returned to a good state of health.” |
| As we wait for this evening’s press conference to convene, you may be interested to read our piece from Wednesday about where the boys found and how they can be rescued. | As we wait for this evening’s press conference to convene, you may be interested to read our piece from Wednesday about where the boys found and how they can be rescued. |
| When 12 missing Thai boys and their football coach were found alive deep in a cave system on Monday, joy was tempered with anxiety. The caves are flooded with surging monsoon waters, pitch black and in places too narrow to allow rescuers to pass while carrying scuba gear. None of the boys can swim or dive. The dilemma: risk a highly dangerous escape or wait possibly months for the waters to subside. | When 12 missing Thai boys and their football coach were found alive deep in a cave system on Monday, joy was tempered with anxiety. The caves are flooded with surging monsoon waters, pitch black and in places too narrow to allow rescuers to pass while carrying scuba gear. None of the boys can swim or dive. The dilemma: risk a highly dangerous escape or wait possibly months for the waters to subside. |
| These are the latest photos from the scene as it approaches 18:30 in Tham Luang, where another press conference is being prepared. Our reporter Michael Safi will bring you updates from the scene once it is underway. | These are the latest photos from the scene as it approaches 18:30 in Tham Luang, where another press conference is being prepared. Our reporter Michael Safi will bring you updates from the scene once it is underway. |
| We’ve compiled all of the tributes for Saman Kunan, the “national hero” who died delivering oxygen to the cave deep underground, and we will update this article as more information comes out. | We’ve compiled all of the tributes for Saman Kunan, the “national hero” who died delivering oxygen to the cave deep underground, and we will update this article as more information comes out. |
| The tech magazine, Wired, have published a fascinating article which delves into how the rescue operation is relying on some ‘totally ingenious tech hacks’ – drones, pumps, and 20-year-old DIY radios. | The tech magazine, Wired, have published a fascinating article which delves into how the rescue operation is relying on some ‘totally ingenious tech hacks’ – drones, pumps, and 20-year-old DIY radios. |
| They’ve interviewed Thana Slanvetpan, a senior engineer at PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) who is managing a team of 30 volunteers from his company at the Tham Luang site. | They’ve interviewed Thana Slanvetpan, a senior engineer at PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) who is managing a team of 30 volunteers from his company at the Tham Luang site. |
| “We didn’t know what the conditions at the site would be like,” he told Wired. “So we tried to bring all the technology that we thought could be useful.” | “We didn’t know what the conditions at the site would be like,” he told Wired. “So we tried to bring all the technology that we thought could be useful.” |
| This included three aerial drones, equipped with 30x optical zoom lenses, and thermal cameras, the author wrote. These are routinely used for carrying out high-risk inspections of potential drilling sites, but found a new role during the search – first in creating a 3D aerial map of the area, and then in spotting potential access points into the cave from above. | This included three aerial drones, equipped with 30x optical zoom lenses, and thermal cameras, the author wrote. These are routinely used for carrying out high-risk inspections of potential drilling sites, but found a new role during the search – first in creating a 3D aerial map of the area, and then in spotting potential access points into the cave from above. |
| “This is the equipment we use day in and day out,” Slanvetpan says – and it’s been a mixture of old and new technologies that have been instrumental in the rescue effort. | “This is the equipment we use day in and day out,” Slanvetpan says – and it’s been a mixture of old and new technologies that have been instrumental in the rescue effort. |
| Drones and autonomous underwater vehicles may have captured the headlines, but radio kits made at home by tinkerers have been equally important in finding the lost football team. | Drones and autonomous underwater vehicles may have captured the headlines, but radio kits made at home by tinkerers have been equally important in finding the lost football team. |
| It will take a similar combination to get them out safely. “Everyone is so delighted to see them alive, and to see them in good condition,” says Slanvetpan. “We can hardly wait to see them walking out from the cave – really, really soon.” | It will take a similar combination to get them out safely. “Everyone is so delighted to see them alive, and to see them in good condition,” says Slanvetpan. “We can hardly wait to see them walking out from the cave – really, really soon.” |
| Footage from the headcam of one of the divers illustrates the extremely challenging conditions that present those within the cave complex. | Footage from the headcam of one of the divers illustrates the extremely challenging conditions that present those within the cave complex. |
| Guide ropes have been installed to aid the descent of the rescue workers who are seen wading through the tunnel in waist-deep water with head torches illuminating the route ahead. | Guide ropes have been installed to aid the descent of the rescue workers who are seen wading through the tunnel in waist-deep water with head torches illuminating the route ahead. |
| As they make their way deeper into the cave, the water suddenly deepens to around neck height, while the tunnel becomes ever narrower. | As they make their way deeper into the cave, the water suddenly deepens to around neck height, while the tunnel becomes ever narrower. |
| Headcam footage from Thailand shows the tough conditions facing dive teams working to rescue 12 boys and their coach from a cave.It comes after officials confirmed former Thai navy SEAL Saman Kunan had died while assisting with the opreration https://t.co/Cep6kE20A6 pic.twitter.com/r7jRGHrmBZ | Headcam footage from Thailand shows the tough conditions facing dive teams working to rescue 12 boys and their coach from a cave.It comes after officials confirmed former Thai navy SEAL Saman Kunan had died while assisting with the opreration https://t.co/Cep6kE20A6 pic.twitter.com/r7jRGHrmBZ |
| Stories continue to emerge about the lengths that volunteers from all over the world have gone to in order to get to the Tham Luang caves in northern Thailand. | Stories continue to emerge about the lengths that volunteers from all over the world have gone to in order to get to the Tham Luang caves in northern Thailand. |
| Local authorities asked for skilled rock climbers who are prepared to climb at least 800 meters and Christoffer John Aquino, “Cedjie”, a Filipino national who has spent 17 years in Thailand, responded to their call and drove around 800km from Bangkok. | Local authorities asked for skilled rock climbers who are prepared to climb at least 800 meters and Christoffer John Aquino, “Cedjie”, a Filipino national who has spent 17 years in Thailand, responded to their call and drove around 800km from Bangkok. |
| “I was called in to help as the cave entrance attempt was becoming quite a challenge due to rising water level. People were becoming restless and angry at the slow progress. So they sought another way in,” Cedjie said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. | “I was called in to help as the cave entrance attempt was becoming quite a challenge due to rising water level. People were becoming restless and angry at the slow progress. So they sought another way in,” Cedjie said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. |
| “Heroes are six feet under. If you knew you could make a difference, wouldn’t you do something? I was just at the right place at the right time in a really bad situation.” | “Heroes are six feet under. If you knew you could make a difference, wouldn’t you do something? I was just at the right place at the right time in a really bad situation.” |
| As I just mentioned, rescuers are looking for possible holes above the 10-kilometer cave system that stretches into a mountain, and Cedjie is part of a team made up of rock climbers, cave experts and paramedics from countries including Cameroon, Russia and the United States. | As I just mentioned, rescuers are looking for possible holes above the 10-kilometer cave system that stretches into a mountain, and Cedjie is part of a team made up of rock climbers, cave experts and paramedics from countries including Cameroon, Russia and the United States. |
| “Was there a trail? No. Is climbing limestone in wet conditions difficult? F*** yeah! Is climbing limestone on trad gear in wet conditions more challenging? F**** suicide!”, Cedjie told ABC-CBN. | “Was there a trail? No. Is climbing limestone in wet conditions difficult? F*** yeah! Is climbing limestone on trad gear in wet conditions more challenging? F**** suicide!”, Cedjie told ABC-CBN. |
| Rescue teams are foraging through dense woodland above the cave complex looking for another way to extract the trapped football team. | Rescue teams are foraging through dense woodland above the cave complex looking for another way to extract the trapped football team. |
| Forecasts for torrential rain have threatened the favoured plan to bring the boys back through the water-logged passageways to the cave’s entrance and hastened the search for a viable alternative. | Forecasts for torrential rain have threatened the favoured plan to bring the boys back through the water-logged passageways to the cave’s entrance and hastened the search for a viable alternative. |
| “We want to find the way down. I believe we are close,” Thanes Weerasiri, president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, told Reuters at a makeshift camp near the cave as helicopters buzzed overhead. | “We want to find the way down. I believe we are close,” Thanes Weerasiri, president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, told Reuters at a makeshift camp near the cave as helicopters buzzed overhead. |
| Weerasiri’s engineers are chiselling away fragile limestone rocks that he said could be just hundreds of metres from where the boys are trapped. | Weerasiri’s engineers are chiselling away fragile limestone rocks that he said could be just hundreds of metres from where the boys are trapped. |
| “Originally we were exploring it as a way to bring supplies to the children from the back end of the cave, but now it could become more,” said Thanes. | “Originally we were exploring it as a way to bring supplies to the children from the back end of the cave, but now it could become more,” said Thanes. |
| Chalongchai Chaiyakum, a senior Thai army officer, said that one team travelled some 300 metres down a shaft on the hill on Thursday until they reached a dead end. He said that up to 200 people are exploring the hill to try to find a workable shaft. | Chalongchai Chaiyakum, a senior Thai army officer, said that one team travelled some 300 metres down a shaft on the hill on Thursday until they reached a dead end. He said that up to 200 people are exploring the hill to try to find a workable shaft. |