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Thailand cave rescue: former navy diver dies during operation – live Thailand cave rescue: former navy diver dies during operation – live
(35 minutes later)
Reports are circulating that heavy rains have arrived at the Tham Luang caves, where the boys are currently trapped. Our correspondent on the ground assures us the heavy rains have come and gone, lasting for just five minutes.
This is good news, but is also just a temporary reprieve. Monsoon rains are due to arrive at any moment and when they do there are fears that any rescue attempt involving the boys diving out of the caves will become impossible and that the desperate attempts to reduce water levels to make a rescue operation safer will have been in vain.
Away from the tragedy in the cave and in a gesture that shows the enormous outpouring of concern for the trapped group from across the globe, Fifa has invited the young footballers to attend the World Cup final in Moscow if they are out of the cave and well enough to travel by the time of the event.
“On behalf of the international football community, I would like to join you in expressing my deepest sympathies and support to the families of the players and coach, as well as my solidarity with the people of Thailand at this time of great concern,” Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa said in a letter to the president of the Football Association of Thailand.
“If, as we all hope, they are reunited with their families in the coming days and their health allows them to travel, Fifa would be delighted to invite them to attend the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow as our guests.”
This is one of many gestures from the international football community.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool Football Club manager, recorded a video for CNN Sport telling the boys: “Stay strong and we are with you. We are following all the news and hoping every second that you see the daylight again.”
Brazilian football legend Ronaldo said: “It is terrible news and the world of football hopes that someone can find a way to take these kids out of there.”
After their defeat at the World Cup, the Japanese team sent a message to the boys on Twitter, writing “Hang on, football family are with you!”
"We are hoping every second that you see the daylight again. You'll never walk alone." Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has delivered a message of hope to the Thai football team trapped in a cave.👉 https://t.co/ByhbCmxzuJ pic.twitter.com/DgrplSZN5U
The chief engineer involved in the rescue mission has told the Guardian that he thinks a team may be able to drill down to where the boys are located and get them out that way.The chief engineer involved in the rescue mission has told the Guardian that he thinks a team may be able to drill down to where the boys are located and get them out that way.
Drilling was previously believed to be too dangerous an option, given the small space the boys and their coach are trapped in, and the fact that they are believed to be between 800m and 1km below the surface.Drilling was previously believed to be too dangerous an option, given the small space the boys and their coach are trapped in, and the fact that they are believed to be between 800m and 1km below the surface.
Thai authorities are progressing several different plans at once to try to reach the boys – including drilling a hole from the top of the mountain to find them. Thanes Weerasin, the president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, who is supervising a drilling crew currently in the jungle above the boys, told the Guardian he was exploring one particularly promising tunnel with with a large hole about 100m into it. Thai authorities are progressing several different plans at once to try to reach the boys – including drilling a hole from the top of the mountain to find them. Thanes Weerasin, the president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, who is supervising a drilling crew currently in the jungle above the boys, told the Guardian he was exploring one particularly promising tunnel with a large hole about 100m into it.
“It’s a big hole, about 1.2m by 1m,” he said. “You can go down using a rope … I think this place can lead to the children because after your foot touches the ground below, you can walk through using the compass and direct it to the tunnel [where the children are stuck].”“It’s a big hole, about 1.2m by 1m,” he said. “You can go down using a rope … I think this place can lead to the children because after your foot touches the ground below, you can walk through using the compass and direct it to the tunnel [where the children are stuck].”
About 20m in the direction of the boys, Weerasin said he reached another hole that was obstructed by a boulder. He wedged a borescope through a gap and saw it extended up to another 10m.About 20m in the direction of the boys, Weerasin said he reached another hole that was obstructed by a boulder. He wedged a borescope through a gap and saw it extended up to another 10m.
He believes the hole leads to the boys because when he lit a fire, smoke flowed quickly through cracks around the boulder, presumably because of the water being pumped from the main cave on the other side.He believes the hole leads to the boys because when he lit a fire, smoke flowed quickly through cracks around the boulder, presumably because of the water being pumped from the main cave on the other side.
“It went very quickly. I think that is caused by the pumping of the water from the end of the tunnel and outside at the entrance,” he said.“It went very quickly. I think that is caused by the pumping of the water from the end of the tunnel and outside at the entrance,” he said.
He believes the hole could eventually lead to Nom Sao slope, the area past Pattaya Beach where the children and their coach are sheltering. “I think this hole is near there.”He believes the hole could eventually lead to Nom Sao slope, the area past Pattaya Beach where the children and their coach are sheltering. “I think this hole is near there.”
We believe this is Saman Kunan, the former navy Seal diver, who died last night after running out of air while diving in the caves where the 12 boys and their football coach are trapped.We believe this is Saman Kunan, the former navy Seal diver, who died last night after running out of air while diving in the caves where the 12 boys and their football coach are trapped.
Saman is no longer employed by the navy, he volunteered as part of the rescue mission.Saman is no longer employed by the navy, he volunteered as part of the rescue mission.
Thai Armed Force website offered their condolences to Saman’s family and wrote that “Cave diving is one of the most difficult jobs in the world.”Thai Armed Force website offered their condolences to Saman’s family and wrote that “Cave diving is one of the most difficult jobs in the world.”
The level of oxygen in the cave where the boys are trapped has dropped to 15%, authorities have confirmed. The usual level is around 21%.The level of oxygen in the cave where the boys are trapped has dropped to 15%, authorities have confirmed. The usual level is around 21%.
Asked how long that would last the boys, deputy commander Chalongchai Chaiyakham replied: “I’m not a medical person, I can’t answer that.”Asked how long that would last the boys, deputy commander Chalongchai Chaiyakham replied: “I’m not a medical person, I can’t answer that.”
Maintaining air supplies inside the cave emerged as a key challenge on Friday as rescuers faced the prospect of the boys remaining underground throughout the monsoon season that ends in October.Maintaining air supplies inside the cave emerged as a key challenge on Friday as rescuers faced the prospect of the boys remaining underground throughout the monsoon season that ends in October.
The presence of hundreds of rescue workers inside the cave has been depleting the air supplies the boys have been relying on, Narongsak Osatanakorn, the governor of Chiang Rai province said at a briefing on Friday.The presence of hundreds of rescue workers inside the cave has been depleting the air supplies the boys have been relying on, Narongsak Osatanakorn, the governor of Chiang Rai province said at a briefing on Friday.
It was during a mission to place air tanks along the route to the boys, the current method for refreshing the air supply in the cave, that the former Seal, identified as Saman Kunan, died around 1am on Friday morning.It was during a mission to place air tanks along the route to the boys, the current method for refreshing the air supply in the cave, that the former Seal, identified as Saman Kunan, died around 1am on Friday morning.
Michael Safi’s full report about the death of the former navy diver and concerns the trapped boys are running out of air is here.Michael Safi’s full report about the death of the former navy diver and concerns the trapped boys are running out of air is here.
Michael Safi has this report from Mae Sai about the death of the navy diver and ongoing concerns about air supply in the cave where the boys are sheltering.Michael Safi has this report from Mae Sai about the death of the navy diver and ongoing concerns about air supply in the cave where the boys are sheltering.
The former Seal, identified as Saman Kunan, died around 1am on Friday morning after he was returning from placing air tanks along the roughly 3.2km route to the boys, the current method for refreshing the air supply in cave.The former Seal, identified as Saman Kunan, died around 1am on Friday morning after he was returning from placing air tanks along the roughly 3.2km route to the boys, the current method for refreshing the air supply in cave.
Kunan became unconscious while making the return journey from “chamber three”, around 1.5km inside the cave. A diving buddy tried to revive him but was unsuccessful. His body has been sent to Bangkok airport and he will receive a royal-sponsored funeral.Kunan became unconscious while making the return journey from “chamber three”, around 1.5km inside the cave. A diving buddy tried to revive him but was unsuccessful. His body has been sent to Bangkok airport and he will receive a royal-sponsored funeral.
“These accidents can happen sometimes to anyone in the field, but we will go ahead and keep working,” said Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew, the Thai navy SEAL commander. “Our morale is still strong.”“These accidents can happen sometimes to anyone in the field, but we will go ahead and keep working,” said Rear Adm Arpakorn Yookongkaew, the Thai navy SEAL commander. “Our morale is still strong.”
He was asked how the 12 boys, at least two of who are said to be in a weakened state, could survive a journey through a cave that killed an adult former Seal.He was asked how the 12 boys, at least two of who are said to be in a weakened state, could survive a journey through a cave that killed an adult former Seal.
“It’s different,” he said. “The Seals are the workers, they work to rescue, it’s a different standard to the kids. The boys are like the egg in the stone,” he said, a Thai expression suggestion the children were considered extremely fragile and would be treated with care.“It’s different,” he said. “The Seals are the workers, they work to rescue, it’s a different standard to the kids. The boys are like the egg in the stone,” he said, a Thai expression suggestion the children were considered extremely fragile and would be treated with care.
The Thai king has announced that Saman Kunan’s funeral will be royally-sponsored.The Thai king has announced that Saman Kunan’s funeral will be royally-sponsored.
Saman was coming back from a spot inside the Tham Luang cave where the group were located on Monday when his supplies ran short. On the way back he lost consciousness. His diving partner performed CPR but was unable to revive him.Saman was coming back from a spot inside the Tham Luang cave where the group were located on Monday when his supplies ran short. On the way back he lost consciousness. His diving partner performed CPR but was unable to revive him.
Saman was pronounced dead at about 1am local time.Saman was pronounced dead at about 1am local time.
We are now updating our spelling of the name of the former navy diver who died while assisting in rescue operations. Previously we had spelled it Samarn, which we believed to be correct, but according to the man’s Facebook page, his name is spelled Saman. Apologies for that error.We are now updating our spelling of the name of the former navy diver who died while assisting in rescue operations. Previously we had spelled it Samarn, which we believed to be correct, but according to the man’s Facebook page, his name is spelled Saman. Apologies for that error.
Michael Safi reports that it is now raining at the entrance to the Tham Luang cave.Michael Safi reports that it is now raining at the entrance to the Tham Luang cave.
Michael Safi, our south Asia correspondent, is in Mae Sai and spoke with two of the boys on the Wild Boar football team who did not go to the caves with their teammates after training on 23 June.Michael Safi, our south Asia correspondent, is in Mae Sai and spoke with two of the boys on the Wild Boar football team who did not go to the caves with their teammates after training on 23 June.
One, Songpol Kanthawong, 13, didn’t go because he didn’t take his bike to practice that day. The other, Thaweechai Nameng, 13, had been ordered by his parents to return home after practice to catch up on homework.One, Songpol Kanthawong, 13, didn’t go because he didn’t take his bike to practice that day. The other, Thaweechai Nameng, 13, had been ordered by his parents to return home after practice to catch up on homework.
The full story is here:The full story is here:
Following on the heels of the terrible news of the death of the former navy Seal diver assisting with the rescue mission, there are now also concerns about the oxygen levels in the cave where the boys and their coach are trapped.Following on the heels of the terrible news of the death of the former navy Seal diver assisting with the rescue mission, there are now also concerns about the oxygen levels in the cave where the boys and their coach are trapped.
Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osotthanakor, said oxygen levels in the cave have been depleted by the large number of rescue workers working in the cave network. Officials are now working to get a 5km-long cable into the cave where the boys are to supply them with air.Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osotthanakor, said oxygen levels in the cave have been depleted by the large number of rescue workers working in the cave network. Officials are now working to get a 5km-long cable into the cave where the boys are to supply them with air.
The imminent monsoon rains, which could trap the boys inside the cave for up to four months, have combined with the treacherous dive conditions, to make this a very very difficult rescue operation.The imminent monsoon rains, which could trap the boys inside the cave for up to four months, have combined with the treacherous dive conditions, to make this a very very difficult rescue operation.
Who are the boys trapped in the cave?Who are the boys trapped in the cave?
While we wait for more news about the Thai diver who has died and any plans to rescue the trapped group today, Jacob Goldberg and Veena Thoopkrajae, reporting for the Guardian in Mae Sai, have compiled profiles of the boys and their coach.While we wait for more news about the Thai diver who has died and any plans to rescue the trapped group today, Jacob Goldberg and Veena Thoopkrajae, reporting for the Guardian in Mae Sai, have compiled profiles of the boys and their coach.
Among them is Adul Sam-on, 14, who spoke to British divers on Monday night. When the boys saw the lights of the divers torches the boys assumed they were explorers, unaware of the headlines and sympathy their plight had inspired around the world. Adul was the one who communicated with them, calling out in English to ask them what day it was and tell them that he and his friends were hungry. His teammates, unable to follow the conversation, chattered “eat, eat, eat” with the little English they had. Adul assured his friends: “I already told them.”Among them is Adul Sam-on, 14, who spoke to British divers on Monday night. When the boys saw the lights of the divers torches the boys assumed they were explorers, unaware of the headlines and sympathy their plight had inspired around the world. Adul was the one who communicated with them, calling out in English to ask them what day it was and tell them that he and his friends were hungry. His teammates, unable to follow the conversation, chattered “eat, eat, eat” with the little English they had. Adul assured his friends: “I already told them.”
His English skills have won him the admiration of millions in Thailand, where fewer than 30% of the population speak the language. According to local news outlets, his knowledge of English comes from his involvement in church activities. He also speaks Thai, Mandarin, and Burmese, which he learned living just over the border in Shan state, Myanmar.His English skills have won him the admiration of millions in Thailand, where fewer than 30% of the population speak the language. According to local news outlets, his knowledge of English comes from his involvement in church activities. He also speaks Thai, Mandarin, and Burmese, which he learned living just over the border in Shan state, Myanmar.
You can read their full story here.You can read their full story here.
A former Thai navy Seal diver has died during the rescue efforts, officials have announced.A former Thai navy Seal diver has died during the rescue efforts, officials have announced.
The diver has been named as Saman Kunan, 38, from Roi Et, a former Thai navy Seal who was assisting in the rescue efforts in a volunteer capacity.The diver has been named as Saman Kunan, 38, from Roi Et, a former Thai navy Seal who was assisting in the rescue efforts in a volunteer capacity.
He died when he ran out of air, while diving in the caves at 1am last night. He had been placing air tanks in the caves, as part of preparations for a potential rescue mission.He died when he ran out of air, while diving in the caves at 1am last night. He had been placing air tanks in the caves, as part of preparations for a potential rescue mission.
His body has been sent to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok.His body has been sent to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok.
It is unclear how his death will affect plans to rescue the 12 children and their football coach currently trapped in the Tham Luang cave network.It is unclear how his death will affect plans to rescue the 12 children and their football coach currently trapped in the Tham Luang cave network.
One of the rescue plans being explored by Thai officials is of getting the children to wear diving masks and having them escorted through the caves by navy divers.One of the rescue plans being explored by Thai officials is of getting the children to wear diving masks and having them escorted through the caves by navy divers.
A spokesman asked how children can be ferried through this cave if an adult former navy Seal died in there, replied: “We have to try everything.”A spokesman asked how children can be ferried through this cave if an adult former navy Seal died in there, replied: “We have to try everything.”
It is unclear how the death of the diver will affect plans to rescue the children. Obviously the death of an experienced former navy Seal diver raises questions about how safe it will be for the children – who have no diving experience – to dive out of the caves.It is unclear how the death of the diver will affect plans to rescue the children. Obviously the death of an experienced former navy Seal diver raises questions about how safe it will be for the children – who have no diving experience – to dive out of the caves.
A spokesman was asked about this and replied: “We have to try everything”.A spokesman was asked about this and replied: “We have to try everything”.
Spokesman is asked how children can be ferried through this cave if an adult former navy seal died in there. "We have to try everything" he says #ThamluangcaveSpokesman is asked how children can be ferried through this cave if an adult former navy seal died in there. "We have to try everything" he says #Thamluangcave