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Thailand cave rescue: officials evacuate site for 'rescue operation' – live Thailand cave rescue: officials evacuate site for 'rescue operation' – live
(35 minutes later)
Our south Asia correspondent Michael Safi has learned that divers are at the site and the rescue operation will begin soon, but it hasn’t commenced yet and divers are yet to go into the caves.
The press conference is due to start in about five minutes, we will let you know when that has begun and as soon as we have any news from it.
Thai authorities have announced that the evacuation of the area has occurred so that a “rescue operation” can take place.
Media and others not involved in the rescue operation have been asked to leave the cave site area.
Officials also announced that during the operation no one is allowed to take photos and if any unsuitable photos come out the person will be held responsible.
Divers and medics have been arriving at the site all morning and there are signs that a mission could begin imminently, with ambulances gathering at the site and the relatives’ room deserted.
Rain fell early on Sunday, which may have inspired the action at the site.
The coordinator of the rescue efforts said rescuers were still in a “war with water and time” as monsoon rainclouds loomed over the north of the country early on Sunday.
The 12 boys and their football coach have been trapped inside the cave for 15 days now, after they ventured into the caves on 23 June and got trapped by rising waters.
They were discovered by British divers on Monday night after a nine-day round-the-clock search involving teams from all over the world.
Veena Thoopkrajae and Michael Safi have left the cave site as instructed by Thai officials and are on their way to a press conference where we hope they will be given an update from officials about today’s activities at the site.
Veena has this video from the site as they drove out.
Our parting shot @MsKateLyons #ThamLuang pic.twitter.com/E2e4B9pnF8
“We are still at war with water and time,” Narongsak Osottanakorn, a former provincial governor leading the rescue efforts has said.
He told reporters yesterday that the “ideal time” for a rescue could come in the next two or three days, though he has repeatedly warned that the arrival of heavy monsoon rains, which have been due to arrive all week, could push them to begin the rescue mission early.
More on the involvement of Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, who was approached to assist with the rescue mission.More on the involvement of Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, who was approached to assist with the rescue mission.
Musk tweeted overnight that a team from his rocket company SpaceX in Los Angeles is building a mini-sub to help with the rescue.Musk tweeted overnight that a team from his rocket company SpaceX in Los Angeles is building a mini-sub to help with the rescue.
“Got more great feedback from Thailand. Primary path is basically a tiny, kid-size submarine ... Light enough to be carried by 2 divers, small enough to get through narrow gaps. Extremely robust,” Musk tweeted.“Got more great feedback from Thailand. Primary path is basically a tiny, kid-size submarine ... Light enough to be carried by 2 divers, small enough to get through narrow gaps. Extremely robust,” Musk tweeted.
Got more great feedback from Thailand. Primary path is basically a tiny, kid-size submarine using the liquid oxygen transfer tube of Falcon rocket as hull. Light enough to be carried by 2 divers, small enough to get through narrow gaps. Extremely robust.Got more great feedback from Thailand. Primary path is basically a tiny, kid-size submarine using the liquid oxygen transfer tube of Falcon rocket as hull. Light enough to be carried by 2 divers, small enough to get through narrow gaps. Extremely robust.
This is actually surprisingly similar to the rescue ideas that people from around the world that people have been emailing in to me and my colleague Michael Safi all week. This is actually surprisingly similar to the rescue ideas that people from around the world have been emailing in to me and my colleague Michael Safi all week.
Musk said it would take eight hours to construct and 17 hours to transport to Thailand. It is unclear whether Musk’s device will be used in the rescue operation that seems to be imminent at the cave, but given the time frame, it seems unlikely. Musk said his mini-sub would take eight hours to construct and 17 hours to transport to Thailand. It is unclear whether Musk’s device will be used in the rescue operation that seems to be imminent at the cave, but given the time frame, it seems unlikely.
The Thai defence ministry said a team from a Musk firm with drilling and exploration know-how should reach the cave on Sunday.The Thai defence ministry said a team from a Musk firm with drilling and exploration know-how should reach the cave on Sunday.
Jacob Goldberg, who is still inside the cave rescue site, has this footage of divers arriving at the cave site, to be mobbed by reporters.Jacob Goldberg, who is still inside the cave rescue site, has this footage of divers arriving at the cave site, to be mobbed by reporters.
Reporters and all those not directly involved in the rescue operation have been banned from entering the site, and those already inside have been give until 9am to clear out.Reporters and all those not directly involved in the rescue operation have been banned from entering the site, and those already inside have been give until 9am to clear out.
some reporters crowding the divers 😕 the divers are silent. pic.twitter.com/2nLejFJF3Hsome reporters crowding the divers 😕 the divers are silent. pic.twitter.com/2nLejFJF3H
Army medics have arrived at the site, reports Michael Safi.Army medics have arrived at the site, reports Michael Safi.
Army medics arriving this morning @MsKateLyons #ThamLuangCave pic.twitter.com/wyYJYU1VftArmy medics arriving this morning @MsKateLyons #ThamLuangCave pic.twitter.com/wyYJYU1Vft
Thai authorities have announced that the evacuation of the area has occurred so that a “rescue operation” can take place.Thai authorities have announced that the evacuation of the area has occurred so that a “rescue operation” can take place.
“Assessing the situation now, it is necessary to evacuate the area for the rescue operation,” said Mae Sai police commander Komsan Sa-ardluan over a loudspeaker. “Those unrelated to the rescue operation, please evacuate the area immediately.”“Assessing the situation now, it is necessary to evacuate the area for the rescue operation,” said Mae Sai police commander Komsan Sa-ardluan over a loudspeaker. “Those unrelated to the rescue operation, please evacuate the area immediately.”
The announcement came as dark monsoon rainclouds loomed over the mountainous north of the country early on Sunday, potentially heightening risks at the cave where rescuers were still waging a “war with water and time” to save 12 trapped boys and their assistant coach.The announcement came as dark monsoon rainclouds loomed over the mountainous north of the country early on Sunday, potentially heightening risks at the cave where rescuers were still waging a “war with water and time” to save 12 trapped boys and their assistant coach.
Officials also announced that during the operation no one is allowed to take photos and if any unsuitable photos come out the person will be held responsible.Officials also announced that during the operation no one is allowed to take photos and if any unsuitable photos come out the person will be held responsible.
Jacob Goldberg reports that American divers have arrived at the cave site.Jacob Goldberg reports that American divers have arrived at the cave site.
american divers arrive at the site. pic.twitter.com/f4jXYqRHczamerican divers arrive at the site. pic.twitter.com/f4jXYqRHcz
This tiny slit the only entrance into the cave this morning amid speculation an evacuation could be underway @MsKateLyons #ThamLuangCave https://t.co/TdmmDYbCeU pic.twitter.com/gYMoNldNdAThis tiny slit the only entrance into the cave this morning amid speculation an evacuation could be underway @MsKateLyons #ThamLuangCave https://t.co/TdmmDYbCeU pic.twitter.com/gYMoNldNdA
Around 9pm last heavy thunder and lightning gave way to torrential rain in Mae Sai, the rain eventually reached the cave site. Soon after, reports starting coming in that there was increased activity at the cave site.Around 9pm last heavy thunder and lightning gave way to torrential rain in Mae Sai, the rain eventually reached the cave site. Soon after, reports starting coming in that there was increased activity at the cave site.
All week we’ve been told that rain might force rescuers to start evacuating the boys. The signs this morning suggest we may finally have reached that point.All week we’ve been told that rain might force rescuers to start evacuating the boys. The signs this morning suggest we may finally have reached that point.
Ten ambulances are gathered inside the rescue camp, reports Jacob Goldberg who is inside the rescue camp at the moment.Ten ambulances are gathered inside the rescue camp, reports Jacob Goldberg who is inside the rescue camp at the moment.
He says that all media and their vehicles have been ordered to leave the camp by 9am, which is in an hour and 14 minutes.He says that all media and their vehicles have been ordered to leave the camp by 9am, which is in an hour and 14 minutes.
In what looks like another sign that something might be happening, Jacob Goldberg reports that the relatives’ room at the cave site is empty.In what looks like another sign that something might be happening, Jacob Goldberg reports that the relatives’ room at the cave site is empty.
the relatives’ room at the camp is empty. pic.twitter.com/HVCwfjy3N6the relatives’ room at the camp is empty. pic.twitter.com/HVCwfjy3N6
It’s a chaotic scene inside the camp this morning with Thai authorities working to clear the site of journalists amid rumours an evacuation is being mounted. Media have been asked to assemble at a police office nearby.It’s a chaotic scene inside the camp this morning with Thai authorities working to clear the site of journalists amid rumours an evacuation is being mounted. Media have been asked to assemble at a police office nearby.
The Guardian has reached the cave site where green netting has been placed around entrance to the cave obscuring our view of what’s going on around it.The Guardian has reached the cave site where green netting has been placed around entrance to the cave obscuring our view of what’s going on around it.
We don’t know how long we’ll be able to remain inside but it’s clear something is happening this morning.We don’t know how long we’ll be able to remain inside but it’s clear something is happening this morning.
Jacob Goldberg, who is reporting in Thailand for the Guardian, has this picture of the road heading into the cave entrance from this morning.Jacob Goldberg, who is reporting in Thailand for the Guardian, has this picture of the road heading into the cave entrance from this morning.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the rescue efforts to free the trapped football team and their coach from the Tham Luang caves in northern Thailand.Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the rescue efforts to free the trapped football team and their coach from the Tham Luang caves in northern Thailand.
This is the sixth day since the boys were found in a cave and it is now 15 days since they became trapped after entering the caves after football practice on 23 June.This is the sixth day since the boys were found in a cave and it is now 15 days since they became trapped after entering the caves after football practice on 23 June.
Since they were found on Monday night, officials have been trying to find a safe way to bring the boys, who are trapped 5km into the caves, out to safety. Tragically, one of the divers involved in the mission died on Friday.Since they were found on Monday night, officials have been trying to find a safe way to bring the boys, who are trapped 5km into the caves, out to safety. Tragically, one of the divers involved in the mission died on Friday.
Officials have been scrambling to work out the safest way to bring the boys out of the caves safely and have done so with the prospect of monsoon rains hanging over them.Officials have been scrambling to work out the safest way to bring the boys out of the caves safely and have done so with the prospect of monsoon rains hanging over them.
My colleague Michael Safi is at the cave and will be filing reports as they come in, you can follow him on Twitter here. You can follow me on Twitter here and email me on kate.lyons@theguardian.com with any questions or tips.My colleague Michael Safi is at the cave and will be filing reports as they come in, you can follow him on Twitter here. You can follow me on Twitter here and email me on kate.lyons@theguardian.com with any questions or tips.
The large number of journalists who have been waiting at the entrance to the cave for any news of the rescue of the trapped boys and their coach, have been been barred from the site.The large number of journalists who have been waiting at the entrance to the cave for any news of the rescue of the trapped boys and their coach, have been been barred from the site.
Earlier this morning, media arriving at the caves were being turned away, though media who had been camping out there overnight were told they were allowed to stay. Not long afterwards, even those journalists already in the cave site were told to leave.Earlier this morning, media arriving at the caves were being turned away, though media who had been camping out there overnight were told they were allowed to stay. Not long afterwards, even those journalists already in the cave site were told to leave.
Media are being directed to a district office. There is speculation that moving out the media is a precursor to the rescue operation beginning, but the Guardian has no confirmation that a rescue will be attempted.Media are being directed to a district office. There is speculation that moving out the media is a precursor to the rescue operation beginning, but the Guardian has no confirmation that a rescue will be attempted.
The Guardian’s south Asia correspondent Michael Safi is on the ground in Thailand and says this is the most significant thing to happen since the boys were found and there is a sense that something is about to happen.The Guardian’s south Asia correspondent Michael Safi is on the ground in Thailand and says this is the most significant thing to happen since the boys were found and there is a sense that something is about to happen.
“If it’s not the rescue it’s something equally momentous,” he said.“If it’s not the rescue it’s something equally momentous,” he said.