The rain adds urgency to save the last five trapped in the Thai cave

Heavy clouds pass over the mountains of Tham Luang cave as relief operations continue for those trapped in the cave of Khun Nam Nang Park, Mae Sai District , in Chiang Rai Province. The group of 13 people trapped in a flooded Thai cave for more than a fortnight was rescued on July 8 after surviving a treacherous escape, hoping that elite divers would also save the others soon. AFP

MAE Sai, Thailand – Rescuers ran to rescue four young footballers and their coach who trapped in a flooded Thai cave on Tuesday as heavy rains threatened an already perilous escape mission that saw eight of the boys extracted

The members of the "Wild Boars" team, aged 12 to 16 years, were safely guided through the submerged and tortuous passages of the Tham Luang Cave by a team of international expert divers flanked by SEAL from the Thai Navy for two days.

The appearance of the second batch of four Monday night was greeted by a simple "Hooyah" of the Thai team SEAL on their Facebook page, an exclamation that illuminated Thai social media.

The ups and downs This rescue offer has delighted Thailand and attracted a worldwide audience, attracting comments from celebrities as diverse as US President Donald Trump, football star Lionel Messi and technology guru Elon Musk .

The Minister welcomed Musk into the troglodyte complex Monday night, and the American later tweeted a standing offer of a mini-submarine to help the other five leave the tunnels

. attempted unfair rescue, several kilometers inside a mountain and through narrow and flooded corridors.

It was not known what time the rescue operation would resume Tuesday, chief of operations Narongsak Osottanakorn explaining to reporters that divers had planned four people at a time

"If we bring five, we must change the plan, "he told reporters on Monday

on condition of anonymity, indicating that Tuesday's dive schedules were not yet resolved. "But I guarantee that they will all be safe," he added, reflecting an increasingly optimistic attitude after two successful operations up here.

Thai authorities said the first four survivors on Sunday were "in good shape". although "quarantined until the risk of infection disappears."

The leader of the Narongsak rescue group did not release an update on the condition of the second group, which was also transported to the hospital. the health of those who have been saved – and their identities – has been closely monitored by the Thai authorities.

But the progress of a rescue operation, which seemed to have been delayed until the monsoon, were the joy of friends. "I want him to be healthy and come back to study fast," said Phansa Namyee, a 16-year-old football classmate, Night.

"I want to go play with them … take him to restaurants and spend time together." / Cbb

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