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Thai cave rescue mission to resume with eight boys and coach still trapped – live Thai cave rescue mission to resume with eight boys and coach still trapped – live
(35 minutes later)
The four boys rescued from the Tham Luang caves on Sunday night have been declared in “good overall health” though they are waiting for the results of tests.
All four boys safely are being treated at a hospital in Chiang Rai, the nearest major city.
They have not yet been able to see their families, though a senior health official said they should be able to see them later today as long as there was “no hugging, no touching” until test results were back.
The rescue operation was scheduled to resume between 7am and 5pm local time today; the coordinator of the rescue efforts said divers needed between 10 and 20 hours to rest and set up for another day’s work.
The same divers who rescued the first four boys will also conduct the next operation, Thailand’s interior minister confirmed, as they know the cave conditions and what to do.
The remaining eight boys and their coach remain underground at the original location near to Pattaya beach.
13 foreign divers and five Thai navy Seals made up the rescue team on Sunday night that brought out the four boys.
When they reached the surface, the divers turned and hugged the boys, who wore full-face scuba masks, after completing the 3.2km journey through the muddy, jagged cave.
The operation proceeded much faster than expected due to the walkable water level in the cave after it was launched at 10am local time on Sunday.
It has now been 16 days since 12 boys and their football coach became trapped in the Tham Luang cave network after becoming flooded in while visiting after football practice on 23 June.
Our reporter Jacob Goldberg reports that soon after the helicopter was seen landing near the cave site, an ambulance was seen driving toward it and now rain is coming down heavily.
and now it’s starting to rain a lot. pic.twitter.com/vBKTAEhsAT
A helicopter has landed close to the rescue site, says our reporter Jacob Goldberg.
We don’t know what this means and have been given very little official information today, but Jacob and our other reporters will bring you updates as soon as we have them.
a helicopter just landed very close to the rescue site. #ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/sCFN2rpcpt
The four boys who were rescued last night are in good overall health and should be able to see their families later today, according to a key health official.
Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, an inspector for Thailand’s health department, said the four boys have undergone a series of tests at Prachanukroh hospital in Chiang Rai.
He told the Thai daily newspaper Kom Chad Lek, that the boys should be able to see close relatives later today after tests were completed, but warned there must be no physical contact until the results of blood tests came back.
“Visitors will only be allowed to meet and talk to the patients,” he said. “No hugging or touching and they [visitors] need to leave a one to two metre distance from the patients until the results of their blood tests come back.”
Thongchai said doctors were checking to make sure the children are free from serious infections such as leptospirosis and meliodosis.
Kom Chad Led said the kids have undergone blood tests, lung X-rays and urine tests. One of the concerns is refeeding syndrome, which can affect people who have experienced severe malnourishment.
Elon Musk has shared video of his team testing out his small “kid-sized submarine”, which he suggested as a potential solution for rescuing the trapped children, in a pool in LA.Elon Musk has shared video of his team testing out his small “kid-sized submarine”, which he suggested as a potential solution for rescuing the trapped children, in a pool in LA.
Musk said the “mini-sub”, which is towed by adult divers, weighed about 40kg, meaning it was “easy to carry on long dry sections of the cave” and then divers could add “diver weight belts wrapped around [the] outside” as ballast.Musk said the “mini-sub”, which is towed by adult divers, weighed about 40kg, meaning it was “easy to carry on long dry sections of the cave” and then divers could add “diver weight belts wrapped around [the] outside” as ballast.
He also wrote: “With some mods, this could also work as an escape pod in space.”He also wrote: “With some mods, this could also work as an escape pod in space.”
Elon Musk confirmed several days ago that he was in talks with Thai government about whether he might be able to assist with rescue efforts. He raised the prospect of a “mini-sub”, but after yesterday’s successful rescue mission it appeared the device would not be needed, with Musk tweeting: “Extremely talented dive team. Makes sense given monsoon. Godspeed.”Elon Musk confirmed several days ago that he was in talks with Thai government about whether he might be able to assist with rescue efforts. He raised the prospect of a “mini-sub”, but after yesterday’s successful rescue mission it appeared the device would not be needed, with Musk tweeting: “Extremely talented dive team. Makes sense given monsoon. Godspeed.”
Simulating maneuvering through a narrow passage pic.twitter.com/2z01Ut3vxJSimulating maneuvering through a narrow passage pic.twitter.com/2z01Ut3vxJ
We are still waiting for the daily press briefing from Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation. These have customarily occurred about 10am local time each day to let the hundreds of gathered reporters know what the plans are for the day.We are still waiting for the daily press briefing from Narongsak Osatanakorn, the head of the joint command centre coordinating the operation. These have customarily occurred about 10am local time each day to let the hundreds of gathered reporters know what the plans are for the day.
It is now noon with no word from Narongsak.It is now noon with no word from Narongsak.
Thongyaud Kejorn, a teacher at Mae Sai Prasitsart school, which many of the boys trapped in the caves attend, says the boys won’t have to take an exam scheduled for next week. “They will not have to follow the normal schedules,” Kejorn said at a press conference on Monday morning.Thongyaud Kejorn, a teacher at Mae Sai Prasitsart school, which many of the boys trapped in the caves attend, says the boys won’t have to take an exam scheduled for next week. “They will not have to follow the normal schedules,” Kejorn said at a press conference on Monday morning.
He said students and teachers at the school were receiving instructions about how to manage the mental health of the boys who have spent more than two weeks inside the cave, especially to avoid “talk that hurts their feelings” and said that each of the returning students would receive individual counselling with a psychiatrist.He said students and teachers at the school were receiving instructions about how to manage the mental health of the boys who have spent more than two weeks inside the cave, especially to avoid “talk that hurts their feelings” and said that each of the returning students would receive individual counselling with a psychiatrist.
Kittichok Kankeaw, a teammate of Nuttawut Takamai, one of the trapped boys, said he would try to assist his friend to catch up at school. “I can help him with his homework,” he said.Kittichok Kankeaw, a teammate of Nuttawut Takamai, one of the trapped boys, said he would try to assist his friend to catch up at school. “I can help him with his homework,” he said.
The school has arranged the interviews with the press for two rounds a day so that they can provide information to the press without the students being disturbed.The school has arranged the interviews with the press for two rounds a day so that they can provide information to the press without the students being disturbed.
Students and teachers at Mae Sai Prasitsart School, where six of the boys who became trapped in the cave, are students have described to the press the preparations they have made for when the boys return.Students and teachers at Mae Sai Prasitsart School, where six of the boys who became trapped in the cave, are students have described to the press the preparations they have made for when the boys return.
They also said they have been receiving guidance from mental health professionals. More from that press conference shortly.They also said they have been receiving guidance from mental health professionals. More from that press conference shortly.
Christoph Sator, a reporter with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, took this photograph of a sign at the school, which features a photograph of the boys trapped in the cave and quotes from their initial conversation with British divers, as well as the ominous line: “You never know when you will need your English”.Christoph Sator, a reporter with Deutsche Presse-Agentur, took this photograph of a sign at the school, which features a photograph of the boys trapped in the cave and quotes from their initial conversation with British divers, as well as the ominous line: “You never know when you will need your English”.
Learning English with the boys from the cave. Just in case. A sign at Mae Sai Prasitsart School, where six of the boys are students. #dpareporter #Thailand #ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/wah3jaPA2wLearning English with the boys from the cave. Just in case. A sign at Mae Sai Prasitsart School, where six of the boys are students. #dpareporter #Thailand #ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/wah3jaPA2w
The same divers who rescued the first four boys will also conduct the next operation as they know the cave conditions and what to do, said Thailand’s interior minister.The same divers who rescued the first four boys will also conduct the next operation as they know the cave conditions and what to do, said Thailand’s interior minister.
In comments released by the government, interior minister Anupong Paojinda said officials were meeting on Monday morning about the next stage of the operation and how to extract the remaining nine people from the cave in the country’s north.In comments released by the government, interior minister Anupong Paojinda said officials were meeting on Monday morning about the next stage of the operation and how to extract the remaining nine people from the cave in the country’s north.
Anupong said divers need to place more air canisters along the underwater route to where the boys and their coach are trapped. He said that process can take several hours.Anupong said divers need to place more air canisters along the underwater route to where the boys and their coach are trapped. He said that process can take several hours.
He said the boys who were rescued on Sunday are strong and safe but need to undergo detailed medical checks.He said the boys who were rescued on Sunday are strong and safe but need to undergo detailed medical checks.
The Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said in a TV interview on Monday morning she believed the boys would be brought out in groups of four, meaning at least two more operations.The Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop said in a TV interview on Monday morning she believed the boys would be brought out in groups of four, meaning at least two more operations.
Australia has sent a team of 19 to support the dangerous rescue mission being led by Thai authorities and Australian divers were part of yesterday’s successful rescue operation, Bishop said.Australia has sent a team of 19 to support the dangerous rescue mission being led by Thai authorities and Australian divers were part of yesterday’s successful rescue operation, Bishop said.
There are reports circulating that one of the four people rescued last night was the coach, 25-year-old Ekapol Chanthawong.There are reports circulating that one of the four people rescued last night was the coach, 25-year-old Ekapol Chanthawong.
People have speculated that he was removed from the cave because he was unwell, due to the fact he gave the boys all the food to eat while they waited for rescuers to find them.People have speculated that he was removed from the cave because he was unwell, due to the fact he gave the boys all the food to eat while they waited for rescuers to find them.
Michael Safi, our south Asia correspondent, who is on the ground in Mae Sai, says this is not confirmed.Michael Safi, our south Asia correspondent, who is on the ground in Mae Sai, says this is not confirmed.
According to the Guardian’s translation of last night’s press conference, the head of the operation mentioned that “four kids” had been rescued, so that is our best information at this time. However, our reporters are looking into it and will bring you more information as soon as they can confirm it.According to the Guardian’s translation of last night’s press conference, the head of the operation mentioned that “four kids” had been rescued, so that is our best information at this time. However, our reporters are looking into it and will bring you more information as soon as they can confirm it.
To answer Q many are asking– it is not confirmed that one of those released from cave y'day was coach Ekk. At one point in y'day press conference, acc to our translation, the leader of the operation referred to "four kids" being removed. We hope to clarify soon #thamluangcave https://t.co/RAJmFry0WeTo answer Q many are asking– it is not confirmed that one of those released from cave y'day was coach Ekk. At one point in y'day press conference, acc to our translation, the leader of the operation referred to "four kids" being removed. We hope to clarify soon #thamluangcave https://t.co/RAJmFry0We
Students at the school attended by half of the boys are about to hold a press conference. We will have updates about what they say as they come through.Students at the school attended by half of the boys are about to hold a press conference. We will have updates about what they say as they come through.
now we’re at the multilingual school that half of the boys attend, about to hear from staff and classmates. pic.twitter.com/hY8SFD1Xpbnow we’re at the multilingual school that half of the boys attend, about to hear from staff and classmates. pic.twitter.com/hY8SFD1Xpb
Four of the boys have were rescued from the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai province on Sunday nightFour of the boys have were rescued from the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai province on Sunday night
All four boys safely reached a hospital in Chiang Rai, the nearest major cityAll four boys safely reached a hospital in Chiang Rai, the nearest major city
The operation was scheduled to resume between 7am and 5pm local time today, the coordinator of the rescue efforts said divers needed between 10 and 20 hours to rest and set up for another day’s workThe operation was scheduled to resume between 7am and 5pm local time today, the coordinator of the rescue efforts said divers needed between 10 and 20 hours to rest and set up for another day’s work
Divers have not yet gone into the cave to resume rescue operations but would go in “soon”, sources told the GuardianDivers have not yet gone into the cave to resume rescue operations but would go in “soon”, sources told the Guardian
The remaining eight boys and their coach remain underground at the original location near to Pattaya beachThe remaining eight boys and their coach remain underground at the original location near to Pattaya beach
When they reached the surface, the divers turned and hugged the boys, who wore full-face scuba masks, after completing the 3.2km journey through the muddy, jagged caveWhen they reached the surface, the divers turned and hugged the boys, who wore full-face scuba masks, after completing the 3.2km journey through the muddy, jagged cave
The operation proceeded much faster than expected due to the walkable water level in the cave after it was launched at 10am local time on SundayThe operation proceeded much faster than expected due to the walkable water level in the cave after it was launched at 10am local time on Sunday
13 foreign divers and five Thai navy Seals made up the rescue team and were among a team of 90 divers involved in the rescue effort overall13 foreign divers and five Thai navy Seals made up the rescue team and were among a team of 90 divers involved in the rescue effort overall
Our reporters have had confirmation that divers have not gone into the cave for the rescue mission to bring out the remaining boys today, but are planning on doing so soon.Our reporters have had confirmation that divers have not gone into the cave for the rescue mission to bring out the remaining boys today, but are planning on doing so soon.
We don’t have a timeframe yet for when they will enter the cave, our reporters have just been told “soon”.We don’t have a timeframe yet for when they will enter the cave, our reporters have just been told “soon”.