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Thailand cave rescue: Mission to save boys under way Thailand cave rescue: Mission to save boys under way
(about 1 hour later)
Rescuers have begun a mission to evacuate 12 boys and their football coach from the cave where they have been trapped for two weeks. Rescuers in Thailand have begun a hazardous operation to lead 12 boys and one adult out of the cave where they have been trapped for two weeks.
Teams entered the cave at 10:00 local time (03:00 GMT), operation chief Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters. The group are stranded on a ledge deep in the Tham Luang cave but with water rising around them, officials have decided they cannot wait any longer.
All non-essential staff have been cleared from the site near the entrance, leaving only diving teams, medics and security forces. Expert divers who have been keeping the group supplied since they were found last week will guide them out.
The boys were exploring the cave on 23 June when they were cut off by water. Officials have called it D-Day, saying the boys are fit enough and ready.
Thirteen foreign divers and five from the Thai Navy are involved in the rescue mission. What is happening at the cave
The earliest the first boys could emerge is 21:00 local time (14:00 GMT) on Sunday, according to officials. It is thought the whole operation could last several days. A huge volunteer and media operation has built up around the mouth of the cave over the past week.
Both the trapped group and their families had been informed of the plan. But early on Sunday, journalists were told they had to move down the road, sparking speculation that a rescue mission was about to begin.
Mr Narongsak said that the boys and their coach were "very fit physically and mentally. They are determined and focused." The governor of Chiang Rai province Narongsak Osottanakorn, who has been leading the operation, then confirmed that 18 divers had gone in to get the boys.
He added: "This is D-Day." "This is D-Day," he said, saying they had been assessed by a doctor and were "very fit physically and mentally. They are determined and focused."
It is unclear exactly how the boys will be moved but it appears that the journey will include some diving and walking in areas where the water level permits. The group and their families have all given their agreement that they should be moved as soon as possible, he said.
Why are they acting now?
Officials had been exploring whether they could drill down into the cave, as well as scouring the mountainside for another way in.
But with the rainy season just beginning, the flooding which originally trapped the boys will only get worse in the coming days.
Rescuers have been desperately pumping water out of the cave, and the governor said water levels inside were at their lowest levels so far.
"There is no other day that we are more ready than today," said Mr Narongsak. "Otherwise we will lose the opportunity."
How will they bring them out?
This has not been confirmed, but it's likely the group will have to do a mixture of walking, wading, climbing and diving.
The initial part of their journey, through narrow, submerged passages, is the most challenging, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from near the cave.
It could involve long periods underwater for children who have never used diving equipment before. Some have even had to have swimming lessons inside the cave.
The rescuers plan to move them first to the cavern which has been the forward base for the divers, our correspondent says.
They will then make the last, easier walk out to the entrance, and go from there to hospital in Chiang Rai town.
The earliest the boys are likely to reach the surface is 21:00 local time (14:00 GMT). It's not clear whether they'll all come out at once, or in small groups.
In an indication of quite how dangerous the journey will be, a former Thai Navy diver died in the caves earlier this week. Petty Officer Saman Gunan was returning from a mission to provide the group with air tanks.
He lost consciousness and could not be revived. His colleagues on said "we will not let the sacrifice of our friend go to waste".
Anticipation in the airAnticipation in the air
By Helier Cheung, Tham Luang caveBy Helier Cheung, Tham Luang cave
This is the moment that everyone has been waiting for - and that some thought would never begin.This is the moment that everyone has been waiting for - and that some thought would never begin.
The first hint that a rescue could be imminent came when all non-essential volunteers and media were asked to leave the site of the caves.
The relatives of the boys were also moved from the rooms where they had been staying.
Earlier on, the mood around the rescue sites had been upbeat once the boys were found alive. Smiling volunteers would hand out snacks, or offer massages, to those on the site.Earlier on, the mood around the rescue sites had been upbeat once the boys were found alive. Smiling volunteers would hand out snacks, or offer massages, to those on the site.
Now security to the site has been beefed up even more. Several police vans, military officers and ambulances have been entering and exiting the site. There's a solemn sense of anticipation in the air.Now security to the site has been beefed up even more. Several police vans, military officers and ambulances have been entering and exiting the site. There's a solemn sense of anticipation in the air.
Family and friends of the boys will be getting little rest until they learn the outcome of the rescue operation.Family and friends of the boys will be getting little rest until they learn the outcome of the rescue operation.
The initial part of their journey, through narrow, submerged passages, is the most challenging, the BBC's Jonathan Head reports from near the cave. How did they get into cave and what's it like in there?
It could involve long periods underwater for children as young as 11 who have never used diving equipment before. The boys, all part of the same "Wild Boars football team, are aged between 11 and 16.
In an indication of quite how dangerous the journey will be, a former Thai Navy diver died in the caves earlier this week. He was returning from a mission to provide the group with air tanks. It's thought they went in there on 12 June as part of a fun outing to celebrate one of their birthdays, taking in some food.
The rescuers plan to rest them in a cave, which has been the forward base for the divers, our correspondent says. But it appears they went too far at the wrong time of year, and unexpectedly got cut off.
They will then make the last, easier walk out to the entrance, and go from there to hospital. Against all odds, they were found by rescue divers early last week, perched on a high ledge in the darkness.
The Thai Navy Seals posted an image after the rescue operation was announced, showing rescue workers holding each others' arms. They were hungry and scared but in remarkably good shape given their ordeal.
Since then, they've been kept company by navy divers at all times, and had food, light and medical care sent in.
They even managed to send letters home telling their parents not to worry, but that they were looking forward to coming home.