Thai authorities evacuate cave area for "rescue operation"



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Thai authorities announced Sunday that they planned to evacuate an area around a cave in northern Thailand where a dozen boys and their football coach were trapped so that a "rescue operation" can take place. Monsoon rain clouds loomed Sunday in the mountainous north of the country, potentially increasing the risk in the cave where rescuers were still waging a "war with water and time" to save 12 boys trapped and their badistant. between 11 and 16 years old, disappeared with the 25 years after the practice of football on June 23 after undertaking to explore the complex of Tham Luang cave in a forest park near the border with Myanmar.

"Evaluate the situation now, it is necessary to evacuate the area for the rescue operation," said Mae Sai police commander, Komsan Sa-ardluan, about 39. ;a speaker. "Those who are not related to the rescue operation, please immediately evacuate the area."

A photo provided by the Royal Thai Navy shows Thai military personnel inside a cave complex (Royal Thai Navy / EPA-EFE) [19659007] A large contingent of media began packing equipment, including tripods and cameras, and descended a muddy hill from the entrance to the limestone cave.

More rain expected

After a relatively dry spell, new torrential downpours a setback for rescuers who struggled to drain the Tham Luang cave complex in Chiang Rai province to the north.

Weather.com has forecast thunderstorms that will extend until Sunday and Monday, with additional stormy weather forecast for the next two weeks. 19659002] Narongsak Osottanakorn, a local provincial governor leading the effort said the "ideal time" for a rescue could come in the next two or three days. "We are still at war with water and time," he told the press

. The path is considered particularly complicated because of the twists in the narrow and flooded pbadages.

Gong Hui, a Chinese diver involved in the operation that drew some 130 Thai and international divers, told Reuters on Saturday before the new rains that the water levels in the cave had "dropped a lot" after a sustained pumping had removed millions of gallons of water.

Time is running out To teach boys – some as young as 11 and not strong swimmers – to dive into dark, narrow corridors that are sometimes less than 60 centimeters wide and have challenged some of the biggest Speleologist divers in the world

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A former member of the SEAL elite unit of the Thai Navy died during a dive on Thursday night, a sinister bend in what started two weeks ago as an outing to celebrate the birt

Rescuers gather

On the hill, where rescuers seek alternative routes into the cave, another accident occurred when a vehicle sank on a dirt road, seriously injuring several people, the authorities said.

Earlier, at the mouth of the sprawling cave, lines of divers and soldiers lighted by flashlights emerged from the darkness, while generators were grinding and pumping from the air. water in plastic pipes.

Volunteers collect garbage near Tham Luang cave on Saturday (Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters)

The billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted that a team from his rocket company SpaceX in Los Angeles is building a mini-sub to help with the rescue.

"We received more great reviews from Thailand, the primary path is basically a small child-sized submarine … Light enough to be carried by 2 divers, small enough to fit through narrow spaces. Musk tweeted, adding that it would take eight hours to build and 17 hours to transport to Thailand.

The Thai Ministry of Defense said that a team from a Musk firm with know-how in drilling and exploration should reach the cave.

Mum and Dad, please do not worry, I'm fine – Tun, in a letter made by divers

Boys seemed calm and rebaduring in handwritten notes to their families released Saturday The notes were sent with divers who made an 11-hour round trip to serve as a postman.

One of the boys , identified as Tun, wrote: "Mom and dad, please do not worry, I'm fine. I told Yod to prepare to take me out for fried chicken. With love. "

" Do not worry, I miss everyone. Grandpa, uncle, mom, dad and siblings, I love you all. I am happy to be here inside, SEALS sailors took care of me. I love you all, "wrote Mick.

The body of Saman Gunan, a former Thai Marine SEAL member who died during an overnight mission, is transported Friday at a police station. religious ceremony at Chiang Rai Airport 19659007] "The night loves dad and mom and brother, do not worry about me. Night loves you all, "writes Night, in the Thai way of referring to the third person.

One of the most touching notes comes from a boy whose name was not clear: "I'm fine, but the air is a bit cold, but do not you do not worry. Well, do not forget to organize my birthday party. "

Another, indistinct, asked their teacher not to give them a lot of homework.

Their 25-year-old coach said: the parents of all the children, right now the children are well, the crew takes good care of him.I promise to take care of the children the best possible.I mean thanks for all the support and I want to excuse myself with the parents. "

Boys may be forced to learn to dive – and then swim through black and treacherous tunnels to escape. 29

Oxygen levels decrease

A Saturday update of the Thai Navy indicates that three SEALs of the Navy were with the boys and their trainer, a doctor, the 13 have badessments health and rehabilitation. Electrolyte drinks, drinking water, medicines and compressed air cartridges were delivered to them. A major concern of lifeguards is that oxygen levels in their safety space could fall dangerously. low.

A parent of the trapped boys cries near the complex cave listening to a press conference on the death of the Thai rescue diver on Friday. (Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters)

The rescuers were unable to extend a hose pumping oxygen all the way where the boys are, but brought them some oxy

The rescuers have also searched for other options to extract the boys, hoping that the discovery of a well or drilling in the mountain where the cave is located will lead them to some sort of entrance to backdoor

from the cave complex where they prayed for the safe return of the boys. (Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters)

(CBC)

(CBC)

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