Rescue of the cave in Thailand: "four-day window" for boys to escape

Copyright of the photograph
EPA / Thai Navy

The teams have a window of three to four days to rescue 12 Thai boys and their football coach from a cave where they were trapped for two weeks, according to the leader of the rescue efforts.

Narongsak Osottanakorn stated that the conditions were

It is feared that the monsoon rains will ensue, further flooding the narrow passages

The boys were exploring the cave when they and their football coach were trapped by the rising waters on June 23rd.

Rescuers have since been able to bring them food, oxygen and medical assistance, while a huge international team is working on a plan to release them

"Now and in the three or the next four days, conditions are perfect [for evacuation] in terms of water, weather and health of boys, "said Mr. Narongsak, governor of Chiang Rai province, where the caves are located. [19659007] "We must make a clear decision about what we can do."

There was a short rain shower Saturday night after he spoke, and it is not clear whether it will have affected the plans.

Earlier in the day, the Thai Navy Seals published the letters that the boys sent to their families, through divers, reassuring them.

• In full: Letters of love and comfort of Thai boys
• Someone you s know could be trapped "

" Do not worry, we are all strong, "said a child in a note. "Master, do not give us a lot of homework!" He joked

Another wrote: "Nick loves mom and dad and siblings, if I can go out, dad and mom, bring me mookatha [Thai barbecue] to eat."

The football coach Cave apologized to the parents, but many of them said that they were not blaming him.

What is the plan?

A gigantic military and civilian operation is in competition against the clock to leave the group amid great risks.

The danger of the situation became clear when a former Thai Navy diver died after delivering tanks to the group on Friday

• What is the risk that Thai boys save?
• I'm dying to see him. I miss my son "

The boys are currently perched on a dry shelf, but rain could reduce this space to" less than 10 square meters, "Narongsak said.

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Officials say that a line of oxygen has been installed to counteract the increase in carbon dioxide people breathe in such a small area.

Bore holes were also drilled in the rock to try to drain the water and give more time to the boys.

It has already been said that they could be underground for months, either by learning to dive, or in the meantime

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On Saturday, Mr. Narongsak said the boys had not yet learned the techniques of diving to allow their passage in complete safety.

The ideal scenario is that enough water has been pumped to allow them to go out.

million. Narongsak has not specified the course of action for these crucial next few days.

How did this happen?

The boys were found inside the cave by British divers Monday, about 4 km from the entrance to the cave

Aged between 11 and 16, they belong to a football club called the Wild Boars, and are trapped during an excursion with their coach.

It took ten days to find them in the dark depths of the underground network.