"Come home": Thailand hangs in hope for the boys trapped in the cave

Twelve young footballers and their coach were trapped in a cave in Chiang Rai province in Thailand for nearly a week.

They disappeared after apparently attempting to explore the cave of Tham Luang Nang, accompanied by their 25 years.

The huge search for the missing group – which would have been cut by the increase in floodwater – seized the country. Now, Thais are turning to social media in a burst of support and hope.

A hashtag, which translates to "the strangers we most want to meet" is used to express the nation's concern for the group of boys, aged 11 to 16 years.

"I'm waiting for 13 people to come home," said this Thai user on Twitter. "Come, everyone is waiting for you."

"I'm waiting to hear the words" The search has ended, the 13 lives are safe, "says this Twitter user

. Media users shared a photo of boys sitting on a boar. The boys were members of the Moo Pa football team, which translates directly to wild boar.

They reportedly regularly visited the cave in Mae Sai District for training and recreation.

During the rainy season, which lasts from June to October, the cave can rise up to 5m

Other hashtags that result in sentences like "13 lives must survive "and" Bring home the Moo Pa players "were also trendy.

Another Twitter user shared an image of the boys in their soccer jerseys with the caption "See you soon".

Others also sent messages of support to the rescue team

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Water levels in the cave continuously increase, frustrating rescue efforts.

We do not know where in the cave the group is trapped. , although footprints have been found inside the complex, raising the hope that the boys are still alive.

The messages sent by the children before exploring the cave suggest that they had taken torches and food. "I have lost hope with people in this country, but not today. [This incident] let me know that this country still has hope," said one user on Twitter.

"The people of this country [have] gave up their prejudices and rallied in every way possible, praying for the children to survive, and hope you are safe [boys]."