[ad_1]
MAE SAI, Thailand (AP) – The rescuers found the 12 boys and their football coach living in a partially flooded cave in northern Thailand, more than a week after their disappearance and set off a desperate search that attracted international assistance
The provincial governor of Chiang Rai, Narongsak Osatanakorn, said the 13 people were being saved, but he warned that they were not safe. Were not out of danger yet
"We found them safe.This is not over," he said in nationally broadcast commentary, referring to the complicated process of extracting them.
Family members of the disappeared embraced while cheering the news.
Aisha Wiboonrungrueng The boys, Chanin Wiboonrungrueng, 11, smiled and hugged her family. She said that she would cook so n son a Thai fried omelette, his favorite food, when he will return home.
Rescue divers had spent most of Monday preparing a final push to locate lost football players, aged 11 to 16 years. their coach of 25 years. They disappeared when the floods trapped them after entering Tham Luang Nang cave in Chiang Rai on June 23rd.
Narongsak said the divers located the missing about 300-400 meters after a section of the cave that was on higher ground. It was thought that this was where the team members and their coach might have been sheltered.
"When doctors have evaluated the children to see if their health is good, we will treat them until they have enough strength to move on their own, and then we will evaluate the situation by resurrecting them later, "said Narongsak.
Anmar Mirza, a prominent US expert in underground rescue, said that many challenges remain for rescuers. He said the main decision is to try to Evacuate the boys and their trainer or provide them on the spot.
"Stocking them on the spot can be difficult depending on the difficulty of the dives," Mirza, coordinator of the National Cave Rescue Commission, said in a statement. "Trying to take non-divers to a cave is one of the most dangerous situations possible, even if the dives are relatively easy, which also begs the question: if the dives are difficult, l & # 39; supply will be difficult.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha thanked the international experts and the rescuers who helped locate the missing for their "considerable efforts".
"The Thai Royal Government and the Thai people are grateful" We all wanted support and cooperation, and we all wish a speedy recovery to the team, "said Mr. Prayuth's office in a statement. press release
. passing through a key room Sunday whose high waters and troubles had previously blocked their progress.
Gov. Narongsak had said earlier that the passage went up in some places and went down into others and that it was extremely narrow, which made it difficult for divers and their gear to pass.
The divers were repeatedly blocked by the water that forced them to retreat. security reasons. When water levels fell on Sunday, divers took a more methodical approach, deploying a line of rope and additional oxygen reserves on the way.
The SEAL Facebook page indicates that since Sunday night, divers have reached a turn. long one kilometer (half a mile long) splits in two directions. The divers were aiming for a sandy chamber on the heights of the cave.
Narongsak explained early Monday that fixing rope lines and deploying oxygen tanks along their route would allow divers to operate
. worked to pump water and divert groundwater. Other efforts have focused on finding mountain-side wells that could be used as a back door to blocked areas.
Teams passed the side of the mountain looking for cracks that could lead to such wells. Several were found and the explorers were able to get off.
Rescue experts in caves from around the world gathered at the site. An official Australian group followed a US military team, British cave experts, Chinese rescue workers and several other volunteer groups from different countries
"These are difficult conditions and there is a lot of consideration for safety. to the indoor environment, "said US Air Force captain Jessica Tait, who is part of a US military team of 30 members attending the operation of research, referring to the rain that flooded the cave. "So I would say, yes, it's a definite statement that it's difficult."
Source link
