Thailand cave rescue live: No rescue attempt until boys learn to use diving equipment, says top official
Authorities in Thailand say they cannot immediately attempt an underwater evacuation of free 12 boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand, as the children have not yet learnt to use dive equipment. That is despite imminent new rainstorms threatening to undo all their best efforts to drain water from the cave network.
The official in immediate charge of the operation, Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn, indicated strongly at a midnight news conference that if heavy rains started and appeared to be causing flooded areas in the cave to rise again, they would try to take the boys out with divers right away.
In addition to the rains, a new urgent threat has emerged in the form of reduced oxygen levels in the chamber where the boys are trapped. The navy SEAL commander leading the operation said today: “We originally thought the boys can stay safe inside the cave for quite some time but circumstances have changed. We have a limited amount of time.”
The dangers involved in getting the boys out of the cave were emphasised overnight when an experienced diver, 38-year-old former navy SEAL Saman Gunan, died after falling unconscious underwater. He is to be given a royal-sponsored funeral.
The South East Asia correspondent for the Australian newspaper has some more on the boys’ contact with their families. The Chiang Rai governor, Mr Narongsak Osottanakorn said he was also in daily contact with the relatives.
The governor, Narongsak Osottanakorn, said the boys had already been trying to learn out to use diving equipment.
According to journalist Pichayada P, of Channel News Asia, he said: “Children are learning how to dive. We'd like minimum risk. But we can't wait until it rains heavily and worsens the situation. If that happens, we'll need to reassess. The key thing is the kids' readiness to dive.”
According to journalist Jacob Goldberg, the governor said divers who came out of the cave at 9pm tonight (local time) reported that the boys were in good health
Asked if they will try to bring out the boys tonight, as was previously reported, the governor said: "We will try to set the best plan. If the risk is minimal, we will try. We are afraid of the weather and the oxygen in the cave. We have to try to set the plan and find which plan is the best."
Meanwhile, a press conference has started with the governor of Chiang Rai province. "The boys entered through the front of the cave, they will come out through the front.”
According to a reporter with Channel News Asia, birds nest collectors from the south of the country joined in rescue efforts by trying to find an open shaft to the cave. So far, their efforts have been in vain:
Croatia's national soccer team, which is competing in the World Cup, has offered its “support and love” to the young Thai players.
According to the AP, in a statement, the team said: “We are impressed with the courage and strength the young boys and their coach have shown despite the scary circumstances they find themselves in.”
Courtesy of Jacob Goldberg, who is at the site of the rescue operation, this is the scene confronting journalists, who believe they are waiting for a statement for the Interior Minister:
https://www.bangkokpost.comThe body of a former Navy Seal who died helping save the 13 people trapped in flooded Tham Luang cave has been taken to the naval base in Chon Buri before he makes his final journey home to Roi Et.
The Thai media's coverage of the cave drama been criticised for its sensationalism, according to a report The Nation, one of Bangkok's two daily English-language newspapers
The NationThe media has been urged to use its influence to change Thai society from emotional, superstitious beliefs to knowledge and logical thinking, as coverage on the rescue operation at the Tham Luang cave has shown that society needs to change its mindset to prepare for future disasters.
Authorities have been racing to pump out water from the cave before more storms hit the region in the coming days and send water levels rising again.
At this time though, the only way for the boys to get out of the cave is by diving, something cave rescue experts warn is extremely dangerous even for those with experience.
Friday’s death of the former Seal underscores those risks. The diver was working in a volunteer capacity and died during an overnight mission in which he was placing oxygen canisters along the route divers must take to get to the children, navy SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew said.
The strategically placed canisters allow divers to stay under water for longer during what is about a five-hour trip to reach the stranded team.
While underwater, the rescuer passed out and efforts to resuscitate him failed, Mr Arpakorn said.
Another navy official said he did not believe the man’s oxygen tank ran out.
“Despite this, we will continue until we accomplish our mission,” Mr Arpakorn said.
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