The site in front of the cave has largely been cleared. A Bangkok Post reporter has said on Twitter that the first stage of the operation will be to recover four boys.
“Sending support and prayers to the Seal unit and the first four kids to come out safe,” he wrote on Twitter. This remains unconfirmed.
Sadly, on Saturday another 10 members of the rescue mission – part of a team assigned to explore the mountain to look for chimneys that might lead to the cave – were injured when a car they were travelling in fell off a cliff.
AFP reports their injuries were not believed to be serious, though blogger Richard Barrow, who is in Thailand, wrote one person was believed to be “badly injured”.
There is a "live" feed on events as they happen on https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... -boys-live
13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
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Gaybutton
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Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
From all these latest reports, it certainly looks as if a rescue attempt is either already in progress or imminent.fountainhall wrote:The site in front of the cave has largely been cleared.
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Thai cave rescue site cleared to 'help victims': officials
July 08, 2018
Mae Sai - Thai authorities told media and non-essential personnel on Sunday to leave a camp site near the entrance to a cave where 12 boys and their coach have been trapped for more than two weeks.
The unexpected order came a day after the rescue mission chief said conditions were perfect for the evacuation to begin, and as fears mount that coming rains could thwart the plan.
"Everyone who is not involved with the operations has to get out of the area immediately," police announced via loudspeaker at the site.
"From the situation assessment, we need to use the area to help victims." They gave a deadline of 9:00 am to clear out, setting off a frenzy of moving and packing.
Officials did not clarify whether the complex effort to dive the team out of the kilometres-long Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand had commenced.
Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... l/30349577
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fountainhall
Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
"Rescue Mission Has Begun"
Rescue mission is underway, governor confirms
The rescue mission has begun, the governor has confirmed at a press conference this morning.
18 divers have been sent into the caves to retrieve the 12 boys and their football coach. The 13 people inside the cave have been informed and are ready and their families have been informed.
Medical teams have been rehearsing for three days and are ready to treat the group when they emerge . . .
The governor said the earliest the boys will come out is 9pm tonight, due to the long journey from where they are located and the entrance and they cannot guarantee the mission will be completed today, because the boys will all come out gradually . . .
The team includes 13 international divers and five Thai navy Seals. “We can say they are all international all stars involved in this diving operation and we selected five of our best who can work with them,” [Governor] Osatanakorn said.
The boys and their families had been informed. “Their health and their minds are ready and they all have knowledge of the mission,” he said. “They’re ready to go out.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... -boys-live
Rescue mission is underway, governor confirms
The rescue mission has begun, the governor has confirmed at a press conference this morning.
18 divers have been sent into the caves to retrieve the 12 boys and their football coach. The 13 people inside the cave have been informed and are ready and their families have been informed.
Medical teams have been rehearsing for three days and are ready to treat the group when they emerge . . .
The governor said the earliest the boys will come out is 9pm tonight, due to the long journey from where they are located and the entrance and they cannot guarantee the mission will be completed today, because the boys will all come out gradually . . .
The team includes 13 international divers and five Thai navy Seals. “We can say they are all international all stars involved in this diving operation and we selected five of our best who can work with them,” [Governor] Osatanakorn said.
The boys and their families had been informed. “Their health and their minds are ready and they all have knowledge of the mission,” he said. “They’re ready to go out.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... -boys-live
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Gaybutton
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Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
Of course, as further information becomes available, it will be posted.fountainhall wrote:Rescue mission is underway, governor confirms
Here is further confirmation that the rescue operation has begun:
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Thailand cave rescue: Operation underway to bring boys out of cave -- live updates
July 7, 2018
A Thai governor said Sunday the operation to bring the trapped 12 boys and their coach out of a cave has begun. The acting Chiang Rai governor told reporters "today is D-Day" with 13 foreigner and five Thai divers taking part in the rescue.
Thai officials said Saturday they are worried that heavy monsoon rain could soon make the job even more difficult and they may need to quickly rescue the boys and the soccer coach from a partially flooded cave by helping them make risky dives to safety.
The boys, ages 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach became stranded when they went exploring in the cave after a practice game. Monsoon flooding cut off their escape and prevented rescuers from finding them for almost 10 days.
Narongsak Osottanakorn, who is in charge of the rescue mission, said Saturday conditions were currently "perfect," BBC News reports.
"Now and in the next three or four days, the conditions are perfect [for evacuation] in terms of the water, the weather and the boys' health," said Narongsak, governor of the Chiang Rai province, where the caves are.
"Today is D-Day," Thai governor says
A Thai governor says the operation to bring out the boys and their soccer coach from deep inside a cave where they have been trapped for two weeks has begun. The acting Chiang Rai governor has told reporters "today is D-Day" with 13 foreigner and five Thai divers taking part in the rescue.
He says the divers went in at 10 a.m. and the boys will gradually come out accompanied by two divers each. He says the earliest they will come out is 9 p.m. Sunday (10 a.m. ET). The only way to bring them out is by navigating dark and tight passageways filled with muddy water and strong currents, as well as oxygen-depleted air.
Experienced cave rescue experts consider an underwater escape a last resort, especially with people untrained in diving, as the boys are. The path out is considered especially complicated because of twists and turns in narrow flooded passages.
But the governor supervising the mission said earlier that mild weather and falling water levels over the last few days had created optimal conditions for an underwater evacuation that won't last if it rains again.
Dozens of divers arrive at cave
Dozens of divers arrived at the Tham Luang cave on Sunday morning and officials set up more tarpaulin sheets blocking off the divers' operating area.
Officials ask media to clear out
Thai authorities asked media to clear out of the area around the entrance of the cave. "Everyone who is not involved with the operations has to get out of the area immediately," police announced via loudspeaker, AFP reports.
"From the situation assessment, we need to use the area to help victims," police said.
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/thail ... 018-07-08/
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fountainhall
Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
More from The Guardian's "live" reporting -
We understand that the Australian doctor who gave the boys the final approval for the operation is a civilian who has extensive cave-diving experience and was specifically requested by British divers involved in the operation.
He is now part of the rescue mission – though we are unclear if he is one of the 18 divers inside. Authorities say they are not approved to release his name and can’t ask his permission because he’s currently involved in the mission.
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Gaybutton
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Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
At the time of this post, the following video is about 3 hours old.
It will probably be several hours before more updates will be available and the actual extraction begins, given the time it takes just to reach the boys from the cave entrance.
It will probably be several hours before more updates will be available and the actual extraction begins, given the time it takes just to reach the boys from the cave entrance.
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Gaybutton
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Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
Several updates are now available, one of the main ones saying the operation could take days.
See: https://us.cnn.com/asia/live-news/thai- ... index.html
See: https://us.cnn.com/asia/live-news/thai- ... index.html
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Gaybutton
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Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
Rescue of trapped children begins
8 Jul 2018
Rescuers have begun an operation to bring the 12 trapped children and their football coach out of the Tham Luang caves.
"Today is D-day. The boys are ready to face any challenges," rescue chief Narongsak Osotthanakorn told reporters who were cleared from the cave entrance at mid-morning on Sunday. "We are at peak readiness."
Mr Narongsak said the boys and their coach, Ekkapol Chantawong are physically and mentally fit for the rescue bid. Water levels at many spots in the cave are currently low, providing the best chance for the rescue to be carried out, he added.
Mr Narongsak said the evacuation decision was made after consultations with all concerned, including Seal members, the medical staff and families of the trapped persons.
He said the first rescued person is expected to be brought out of the cave by 9pm.
A source said the football team will be divided into four groups. The first group will have four people, while the second, third and fourth will have three people. Each boy will be closely escorted by two divers.
According to rescue authorities, 14-year-old Adul "Dul" Sam-on will be one of the first four kids to come out, while the coach will be the last.
Scores of divers were seen entering the cave after dawn on Sunday, and shortly afterwards there were orders for "unnecessary personnel" to clear the area to "help victims".
No other information was given, and all media were ordered to retreat 2km from the cave, protesting all the way.
The preparations indicated that officials have abandoned all extraction plans except for helping the boys to swim and dive the approximately 5km from their refuge inside the cave to the outside world.
World experts had weighed in on the problem for days.
Technology guru Elon Musk, who is consulting on possible rescue methods, tweeted that he was considering "a tiny, kid-size submarine" for a rescue.
He added, Continue to be amazed by the bravery, resilience & tenacity of kids & diving team in Thailand. Human character at its best.
Story, photos, videos: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... ren-begins
8 Jul 2018
Rescuers have begun an operation to bring the 12 trapped children and their football coach out of the Tham Luang caves.
"Today is D-day. The boys are ready to face any challenges," rescue chief Narongsak Osotthanakorn told reporters who were cleared from the cave entrance at mid-morning on Sunday. "We are at peak readiness."
Mr Narongsak said the boys and their coach, Ekkapol Chantawong are physically and mentally fit for the rescue bid. Water levels at many spots in the cave are currently low, providing the best chance for the rescue to be carried out, he added.
Mr Narongsak said the evacuation decision was made after consultations with all concerned, including Seal members, the medical staff and families of the trapped persons.
He said the first rescued person is expected to be brought out of the cave by 9pm.
A source said the football team will be divided into four groups. The first group will have four people, while the second, third and fourth will have three people. Each boy will be closely escorted by two divers.
According to rescue authorities, 14-year-old Adul "Dul" Sam-on will be one of the first four kids to come out, while the coach will be the last.
Scores of divers were seen entering the cave after dawn on Sunday, and shortly afterwards there were orders for "unnecessary personnel" to clear the area to "help victims".
No other information was given, and all media were ordered to retreat 2km from the cave, protesting all the way.
The preparations indicated that officials have abandoned all extraction plans except for helping the boys to swim and dive the approximately 5km from their refuge inside the cave to the outside world.
World experts had weighed in on the problem for days.
Technology guru Elon Musk, who is consulting on possible rescue methods, tweeted that he was considering "a tiny, kid-size submarine" for a rescue.
He added, Continue to be amazed by the bravery, resilience & tenacity of kids & diving team in Thailand. Human character at its best.
Story, photos, videos: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/genera ... ren-begins
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Gaybutton
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Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
Now that the news media has been moved away from the cave area it will be difficult to get updates, but I can't imagine that anyone would dispute that the first priority is the boys and people not essential to the rescue effort don't need to be there. We'll know the outcome soon enough.
Here is the latest, and it seems optimistic for a successful rescue since the report says the water level is low enough for the boys to be able to walk for some of the trek trying to get out, but the article does not say how much. Dangerous diving will still be required.
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Thai Navy SEALs vow to bring boys back safely in Facebook post
The Thai navy SEALs, who have been spearheading the rescue effort, have posted a photo on their Facebook page with a vow to bring the trapped team home from a flooded cave.
The unit says in a message: "We, the Thai team and the international team, will bring the Wild Boars home." That's the name of the young boys' team.
Water level in cave has been brought down to level where boys can walk for some of journey
Authorities felt they had a "small window of time to act" to rescue the boys and their coach, CBS News' Ben Tracy reports from Chiang Rai.
Two divers will be assigned to each child to help them navigate the dangerous, narrow passageways. CBS News has also learned that water level inside the cave has been brought down to a level where the boys can walk for much for the journey rather than swim. That will make the operation less risky.
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The full article doesn't contain anything that we haven't already posted, but here is the link:
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/thail ... 018-07-08/
Here is the latest, and it seems optimistic for a successful rescue since the report says the water level is low enough for the boys to be able to walk for some of the trek trying to get out, but the article does not say how much. Dangerous diving will still be required.
________________________________________________________
Thai Navy SEALs vow to bring boys back safely in Facebook post
The Thai navy SEALs, who have been spearheading the rescue effort, have posted a photo on their Facebook page with a vow to bring the trapped team home from a flooded cave.
The unit says in a message: "We, the Thai team and the international team, will bring the Wild Boars home." That's the name of the young boys' team.
Water level in cave has been brought down to level where boys can walk for some of journey
Authorities felt they had a "small window of time to act" to rescue the boys and their coach, CBS News' Ben Tracy reports from Chiang Rai.
Two divers will be assigned to each child to help them navigate the dangerous, narrow passageways. CBS News has also learned that water level inside the cave has been brought down to a level where the boys can walk for much for the journey rather than swim. That will make the operation less risky.
______________________________________________________
The full article doesn't contain anything that we haven't already posted, but here is the link:
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-news/thail ... 018-07-08/
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tree
Re: 13 Thais Missing during Caving Expedition
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/ ... -boys-live
First two boys have been rescued, local officials tell Reuters
The first two members of the Thai football team have been rescued, a local rescue official told Reuters.
“Two kids are out. They are currently at the field hospital near the cave,” said Tossathep Boonthong, chief of Chiang Rai’s health department and part of the rescue team.
“We are giving them a physical examination. They have not been moved to Chiang Rai hospital yet,” Tossathep told Reuters.
First two boys have been rescued, local officials tell Reuters
The first two members of the Thai football team have been rescued, a local rescue official told Reuters.
“Two kids are out. They are currently at the field hospital near the cave,” said Tossathep Boonthong, chief of Chiang Rai’s health department and part of the rescue team.
“We are giving them a physical examination. They have not been moved to Chiang Rai hospital yet,” Tossathep told Reuters.