Thailand cave rescue LIVE updates: Six boys brought out, officials say

Thailand cave rescue LIVE updates: Six boys of the soccer team which had been trapped inside the cave have been rescued Sunday from the flooded cave, a senior member of the rescue team said.

By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi |Updated: July 8, 2018 7:37:13 pm Thailand cave rescue LIVE updates: Six boys brought out, officials say

Thai rescue teams arrange water pumping system at the entrance to a flooded cave complex where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. (Royal Thai Navy via AP/File)

In a breakthrough, six boys of the soccer team which had been trapped inside the cave have been rescued Sunday from the flooded cave, a senior member of the rescue team said. The kids were immediately given medical assistance. “They are currently at the field hospital near the cave, we are giving them a physical examination,” said Tossathep Boonthong, chief of Chiang Rai’s health department and part of the rescue team, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The ordeal of the trapped children has drawn huge media attention to Thailand, and getting the boys out safely could be a boost for the island nation’s ruling government ahead of a general election next year.

The operation is supposed to take nearly nine hours to reach the first boy and the governor said that the entire mission will extend over two to four days. A former Thai Navy SEAL member died inside the cave on Thursday night due to lack of oxygen. With more than two weeks gone, Thailand authorities have begun the rescue operation for a group of 12 boys and their soccer coach who have been trapped in a flooded cave in northern Chiang Rai province.

Meanwhile, the coach has apologized to the students’ parents in the first letter he and the team sent out through divers. “To the parents of all the kids, right now the kids are all fine, the crew are taking good care. I promise I will care for the kids as best as possible. I want to say thanks for all the support and I want to apologize to the parents,” the 25-year-old said in the letter. Elon Musk had offered his support to the Thai government with technological help.