Soccer team found alive in Thailand cave

[1R0N M4N XL]

[Taiji]

Thailand cave rescue: Ex-navy diver dies on oxygen supply mission

A former Thai navy diver has died while taking part in efforts to rescue 12 boys and their football coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand.

Petty Officer Saman Gunan lost consciousness on his way out of the Tham Luang cave complex, where he had been delivering air tanks.

The boys have been trapped for nearly two weeks in a chamber in the cave.

They ventured in while the cave was dry but were caught out by a sudden deluge of rain, which flooded the system.

The group was found by British rescue divers after 10 days in the cave, perched on a rock shelf in a small chamber about 4km (2.5 miles) from the cave mouth.

Teams of Thai and international divers have since supplied them with food, oxygen and medical attention, but there are mounting concerns about the oxygen level in the chamber, which officials said had fallen to 15%. The usual level is 21%.

Locals long to see missing Thai cave boys
What are the rescue options?
On the surface, a huge military and civilian rescue operation is racing against the clock to bring the boys to safety. Heavy monsoon rains are expected on Sunday, threatening further flooding.

Officials had initially considered leaving the boys in the chamber to wait out the rainy season - which could have seen them trapped there for up to four months.

But Thailand's Navy Seal commander suggested on Thursday that the divers may now have little choice but to attempt a daring emergency rescue - fraught with danger for the boys, who are aged 11 to 16 and some of whom cannot swim.

"At first, we thought the children could stay for a long time... but now things have changed, we have a limited time," Rear Admiral Apakorn Yookongkaew said.



A death in the cave
The death of Saman - a highly trained diver - on Thursday underscored the danger of moving from the chamber to mouth of the cave, and raised serious doubts about the safety of bringing the boys out through the cramped, flooded passageways.

The diver died after losing consciousness in one of the passageways, said Passakorn Boonyaluck, deputy governor of the Chiang Rai region, where the cave is situated.

"His job was to deliver oxygen. He did not have enough on his way back," Mr Passakorn said.

He said that Saman's dive partner tried to revive him but could not, and his body was brought out of the cave.

[Taiji]

Rest in peace, soldier.

"The Boys Trapped In A Cave In Thailand Wrote Their Parents These Heartbreaking Letters
https://www.buzzfeed.com/hazelsheari...1mg#.waNMqdW3q

Members of a teen soccer team who have been trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand with their coach for two weeks have written heartbreaking letters to their families.

"I'm doing fine, but the air is a little cold but don't worry. Although, don't forget to set up my birthday party," one boy scribbled on smudged yellow paper, which was carried back to his parents by British divers on Friday.

"Don't be worried, I miss everyone. Grandpa, uncle, mum dad, and siblings I love you all," wrote another. "I'm happy being here inside, the navy SEALS have taken good care. Love you all."

Thai authorities posted the letters on their Navy SEAL Facebook page on Saturday.

"Don't worry, we are all strong. Teacher, don't give us lots of homework!" another joked.

One boy asked his parents if they could go to a fried chicken shop when he gets out of the cave, while another said he was craving pan-fried pork.

“Don’t worry that I am missing for two weeks, I will help you at the shop soon,” one of the letters read.

Among the letters was one from coach Ekkapol Chantawong, who had been exploring the cave with the 12 boys when they became trapped by floodwaters on June 23.

“To all the parents, all the kids are still fine. I promise to take the very best care of the kids. I want to say thanks for all the support and I want to apologise to the parents,” he wrote.

“I am well. Do not worry about me so much. Please look after yourself. Uncle, please tell Grandma to cook some crispy pork rind with a spicy dip. I will eat when I get out. I love you all.”

Rescue teams from across the world have been supplying the boys and their coach with food and oxygen since they were discovered alive on July 2.

Authorities initially said it could be months before they could be safely evacuated, yet on Saturday the head of the rescue mission said there is "limited time" to get them out before heavy rains hit the area.

"The critical point is when it rains again. ... There is limited time," Narongsak Osottanakorn told journalists.

It comes a day after a diver died while laying down oxygen tanks along a potential exit route, after falling unconscious when his own oxygen supplies dwindled.

The case has sparked international concern. On Friday, billionaire Elon Musk tweeted that engineers from two companies he founded — SpaceX and the Boring Company — were heading to Thailand to aid in the rescue efforts."

Hope everyone makes it back home safely to their families.