All 12 boys and their football coach who have been missing for more than a week after becoming trapped in a cave in Thailand have been found alive, officials have said.
Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said on Monday the 13 were being rescued.
“We found them safe. But the operation isn’t over,” he said.
After news of the group’s discovery, Thailand’s prime minister thanked international experts who helped with the rescue effort.
A statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office said Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha “wishes to thank the tremendous efforts of all international units that have come to assist the Thai authorities in rescuing the youth football team that was stuck in the caves in Chiang Rai”.
It added: “The Royal Thai Government and the Thai people are grateful for this support and cooperation, and we all wish the team a safe and speedy recovery.”
Rescue efforts have been hampered by rising waters and mud, but divers used new tactics on Sunday, deploying a rope line and extra oxygen supplies.
Rescuers hoped the group had found safety in a sandy chamber on higher ground in the cave and were attempting to reach that point.
The boys, aged between 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach were exploring the Tham Luang caves on 23 June when they became tapped.
Thai navy divers and rescue workers from other countries made initial progress through the narrow passageway of the Tham Luang Nang Non cave early on Monday after passing through a key chamber on Sunday whose high, murky waters had previously blocked their progress.
Mr Narongsak earlier said the passageway was narrow and winding, making it difficult for divers to bring equipment with them.
In addition to divers, teams have been pumping out water and directing groundwater from the cave.
