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Cave rescue: Eight rescued Thai boys in 'good health' Cave rescue: Final push under way in Thailand
(about 2 hours later)
The first eight boys rescued from a cave in northern Thailand are in good mental and physical health, according to a government official. Nineteen divers have entered the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand on a gruelling, hazardous mission to rescue five people still trapped inside.
The boys, who were evacuated over the past two days, have undergone X-rays and blood tests. Two have been treated for lung inflammation. They hope to extract all four children and the adult accompanying them, bringing to a close an epic operation marred by one diver's death.
They will remain under observation in hospital for at least seven days. Eight boys rescued earlier are said to be in good mental and physical health.
The mission re-started on Tuesday morning, with divers hoping to bring out the rest of the group. The group, a football team, had got stuck deep inside the cave on 23 June after heavy rains caused flooding.
Four of the boys and their football coach are still deep in the Tham Luang cave. They are with a doctor and Thai Navy Seal divers who have been looking after them and, if conditions allow, nine people in total will come out in what officials hope will be the last day of the mission. After they were found by divers last week, huddled in darkness on a ledge and cut off from the outside world for nine days, the race began to get them out before the weather deteriorated even further.
The latest stage in the rescue effort kicked off just after 10:00 local time (03:00 GMT), with 19 divers making their way into the cave. The boys evacuated so far have undergone X-rays and blood tests. They will remain under observation in hospital for at least seven days.
The football team became trapped on 23 June after heavy rains caused flooding. They were found last week by divers. A doctor and Thai Navy Seal divers have been looking after the four boys and their coach still on the ledge, about 4km (2.5 miles) from the cave's mouth.
How did the latest mission begin?
It kicked off just after 10:00 local time (03:00 GMT) when the 19 divers made their way into the cave.
Rain was falling but rescuers say the water level inside the cave is similar to that on Sunday, the first day of the operation, an official said.
In quarantine
By Michelle Roberts, BBC News
After the boys had spent so long in the cold and dark with poor ventilation and relatively little to eat and drink, there were concerns that they would be in a far worse state. Now that they are dry, warm and in safe care, full medical assessments can be done.
None of the eight has a fever - a sign of a possible infection - although two have needed antibiotic treatment for suspected lung infections. Doctors will be checking for any infections, such as "caver's disease", a lung disease caused by a fungus that grows in bat droppings. They will also make sure any cuts and scrapes that the boys have on their skin are clean and healing nicely.
The boys remain in quarantine, meaning their parents will not be allowed any physical contact. This is partly to protect the boys from unnecessary infections until they regain their strength, as well as to prevent them passing on anything they might have picked up in the wet cave.
They will need to build up their muscles and their immunity, as well as get used to living in the outside world again. For now, they wear shades to protect their eyes from the bright light.
How are the rescued boys?How are the rescued boys?
The first group of four boys were rescued on Sunday, followed by four more on Monday. The first group of four boys was rescued on Sunday, followed by four more on Monday.
Some of the boys had low temperatures, with one showing a low heart rate when they were first taken to hospital, but have now recovered. Some of the boys had low temperatures, with one showing a low heart rate when they were first taken to hospital, but they have now recovered.
"All eight are in good health, no fever... everyone is in a good mental state," Jesada Chokedamrongsuk, permanent secretary of the public health ministry, said at a press conference. "All eight are in good health, no fever... everyone is in a good mental state," Jesada Chokedamrongsuk, permanent secretary of the public health ministry, said at a news conference.
Health officials say they were at first given instant food and energy gels but are now eating easy-to-digest food. They also say some of the boys have now seen their parents - but only through glass. Health officials say they were at first given instant food and energy gels but are now eating easy-to-digest food.
They also say some of the boys have now seen their parents - but only through glass.
Further test results are expected in a few days and if all signs of infection have cleared, families will be allowed to visit. However, they must don protective clothing and cannot go closer than 2m (6ft).Further test results are expected in a few days and if all signs of infection have cleared, families will be allowed to visit. However, they must don protective clothing and cannot go closer than 2m (6ft).
The boys also have to wear sunglasses after being in a state of darkness for more than two weeks. However, Thailand's Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, has been allowed to visit the boys.
How are they being rescued?How are they being rescued?
A team of 90 expert divers - 40 from Thailand and 50 from overseas - have been working in the caves.A team of 90 expert divers - 40 from Thailand and 50 from overseas - have been working in the caves.
They have been guiding the boys through darkness and submerged passageways towards the mouth of the Tham Luang cave system.They have been guiding the boys through darkness and submerged passageways towards the mouth of the Tham Luang cave system.
Getting to and from where the boys are has been an exhausting round trip, even for the experienced divers.Getting to and from where the boys are has been an exhausting round trip, even for the experienced divers.
The process includes a mixture of walking, wading, climbing and diving along guide ropes already in place.The process includes a mixture of walking, wading, climbing and diving along guide ropes already in place.
Wearing full-face masks, which are easier for novice divers than traditional respirators, each boy is being accompanied by two divers, who also carry his air supply. Wearing a full-face mask, which are easier for novice divers than traditional respirators, each boy is being accompanied by two divers, who also carry his air supply.
The toughest part is about halfway out at a section named "T-Junction", which is so tight the divers have to take off their air tanks to get through.The toughest part is about halfway out at a section named "T-Junction", which is so tight the divers have to take off their air tanks to get through.
Beyond that a cavern - called Chamber 3 - has been turned into a forward base for the divers.Beyond that a cavern - called Chamber 3 - has been turned into a forward base for the divers.
There the boys can rest before making the last, easier walk out to the entrance. They are then taken to hospital in Chiang Rai.There the boys can rest before making the last, easier walk out to the entrance. They are then taken to hospital in Chiang Rai.
In an indication of how dangerous the journey can be, a former Thai navy diver died in the caves on Friday. Saman Gunan was returning from a mission to provide the group with air tanks when he ran out of oxygen.In an indication of how dangerous the journey can be, a former Thai navy diver died in the caves on Friday. Saman Gunan was returning from a mission to provide the group with air tanks when he ran out of oxygen.
He lost consciousness and could not be revived. His colleagues said they would "not let the sacrifice of our friend go to waste".
The rescue mission chief said the second day of the operation had gone more smoothly than the first, taking two hours less as the procedure became more refined.The rescue mission chief said the second day of the operation had gone more smoothly than the first, taking two hours less as the procedure became more refined.
A massive pumping operation is said to have helped lower the water level inside the cave system, making the journey in and out easier than it was.A massive pumping operation is said to have helped lower the water level inside the cave system, making the journey in and out easier than it was.
How did the group get there? Aged between about 11 and 17, the boys belong to a football club called the Wild Boars, and became trapped during an excursion with their coach.
Aged between about 11 and 17, they belong to a football club called the Wild Boars, and became trapped during an excursion with their coach.
They were alone for nine days, trapped on a small ledge in the underground network's dark depths.
The boys were found by British rescue divers a week ago, about 4km (2.5 miles) from the cave mouth.
Who are the boys and their coach?Who are the boys and their coach?
Some details have emerged of members of the team and their coach.Some details have emerged of members of the team and their coach.
Captain Duganpet Promtep, 13, is described as a motivator and highly respected by his teammates. He had apparently been scouted by several Thai professional clubs.Captain Duganpet Promtep, 13, is described as a motivator and highly respected by his teammates. He had apparently been scouted by several Thai professional clubs.
Myanmar-born Adul Sam-on, 14, speaks several languages, and was the only team member to be able to communicate with British divers when they were first discovered.Myanmar-born Adul Sam-on, 14, speaks several languages, and was the only team member to be able to communicate with British divers when they were first discovered.
It was 17-year-old Peerapat Sompiangjai's birthday when the group became trapped in the cave. The snacks the boys brought with them to celebrate are likely to have helped them survive their ordeal.It was 17-year-old Peerapat Sompiangjai's birthday when the group became trapped in the cave. The snacks the boys brought with them to celebrate are likely to have helped them survive their ordeal.
Assistant coach Ekapol Chantawong, 25, was said to be the weakest of the group when they were found, as he had reportedly refused to eat any of the food and gave it instead to the boys.Assistant coach Ekapol Chantawong, 25, was said to be the weakest of the group when they were found, as he had reportedly refused to eat any of the food and gave it instead to the boys.