"They became the children of the world": the locals were impressed after the rescue of the Thai caves that attracted the attention of the whole world

When the Thai Navy's SEAL confirmed that the 12 football players and their coach had been safely rescued from the flooded cave into which they had entered 18 days ago, Simmee Oupra was inundated with water. emotion

. Volunteer at the media center near the cave to help translate press briefings. In the process, she developed a strong bond with a group of boys she had never met.

"They are not only the children of Chiang Rai or the children of Thailand," she says in English

"They have become the children of the world."

Clbadmates of 12 schoolboys trapped in a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand, pray after their school teacher Mae Sai Prasitsart announced that some of the boys had been rescued. All over the world, people have shared their joy and their relief of the safe return of boys after a hard test (Tyrone Siu / Reuters)

The disappearance, discovery and rescue of children 39, Wild Boars football team around the world. A dozen 11- to 16-year-old team members and their coach were trapped on June 23 as they were exploring the Tham Luang cave complex in the northern Chiang Rai province after a football practice. Once they were inside, the tunnels behind them were flooded after heavy rains.

A team of British rescuers found them on July 2nd. The images of uniformed boys huddled together on a plate of dry rock were shared around the world.

Whenever the rescue mission commander held a press conference in front of a local government office, hundreds of journalists crammed for the latest updates

Simmee Oupra volunteered as a translator. for 10 days at the press center near the cave where 12 young boys and their football coach were trapped for nearly three weeks. She says she felt that the whole world aspired to boys (Briar Stewart / CBC)

"I am very proud to play a small role in success"

United States trained divers. , the UK, Canada and other countries traveled to Thailand to offer their expertise and help escort the team through the flooded underpbades.

"If you step back and look at it … it's not a question of borders, it's not a question of race or religion," Oupra said. "It's towards a single goal."

In addition to the 1,000 Thai soldiers who helped in the rescue operation, hundreds of others took on crucial roles.

In an outdoor restaurant in Chiang Rai, a group of men sat around the table and watched the news on a television suspended above. In the past two weeks they have spent most of their time pumping water into the cave.

A crowd of journalists are awaiting updates in front of a local government complex near Tham Luang Cave in Thailand's Chiang Rai Province. , Tuesday. The boys' event has captivated the world's attention. (Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters)

The first four boys were released from the cave on Sunday. Four others emerged on Monday. The last group of four boys and their 25-year-old coach were highlighted on Tuesday.

Despite the heavy rain the night before the third and final rescue, water levels did not rise, which meant that it was possible for the boys and their trainer to walk and wade in. a longer distance underground.

A helicopter transported the boys and their trainer to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital in Chiang Rai, the closest town to the cave complex, where the 12 boys and their trainer ended up on a dedicated floor . Each member of the team must spend time in isolation for fear of spreading the infection; Health officials expect that they will all be hospitalized for at least a week.

A group of men who helped pump water from the cave for two weeks share a meal at a Chiang Rai restaurant watching news of the third and final deliverance. (Briar Stewart / CBC)

"I am very happy that the children are all out," said one of the men employed by the Thai government to help rescue. 19659002] "I am very proud to play a small part in the success."

The last people to leave the cave were a group of SEALs from the navy who helped with the rescue.

"We are not sure it's a miracle, a science, or what?", They said on Facebook. "All thirteen boars are now out of the cave."

"Everyone will receive them"

Half of the boys go to school in Mae Sai, a community just a few miles from Myanmar. Cave. Some cross the border every day to go to school, a routine that Wbadana Saebaew, one of their clbadmates, knows well.

Rescuers in protective gear wait for rescued schoolchildren at Chiang Rai's military airport on Monday. The boys and their coach must spend time in isolation to protect themselves against the spread of any infections that they might have contracted while they were in the cave. (Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters)

In recent days, the 15 years old … Elders and clbadmates have more and more trouble concentrating on their studies and upcoming exams. All they meant was when there were updates on the team.

Despite all the risks badociated with the rescue, she says she never doubted that the boys would all get out of it.

"I think everyone will welcome them with love."

Wbadana Saebaew lives in Myanmar and every day crosses the border to go abroad. school in Mae Sai, Thailand. Six of the 12 boys from the soccer team attend his school. (Briar Stewart / CBC)