Elon Musk has issued an apology for his remarks about a UK diver involved in the rescue of the Thai soccer team and their coach after he called Vern Unsworth a "pedo" on social media.
"I apologise to Mr Unsworth and to the companies I represent as leader. The fault is mine and mine alone," he tweeted.
"My words were spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths and suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub."
Mr Musk wrote a series of tweets attacking Mr Unsworth, with one saying the expat living in Thailand was "sus".
He then wrote: "Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it".
Mr Unsworth is reportedly aware Mr Musk has apologised but would not comment further about settlement or legal action.
Mr Unsworth told reporters on Monday he was considering legal action.
"His actions against me do not justify my actions against him, and for that I apologise," Mr Musk said.
The bizarre attack came after the rescue diver claimed the mini-sub Mr Musk built for the rescue and delivered to the site personally was just a PR stunt.
The chief executive of the tech giant Tesla built the submarine to assist in the rescue of the boys from the cave, but by the time he had developed and delivered the sub the rescue was well underway.
In an interview with CNN, Mr Unsworth said Mr Musk could "stick the submarine where it hurts".
"It just had absolutely no chance of working," he said.
The 12 boys and their coach were rescued in a three-day dive operation.
Mr Musk's tweet had sent US investors away from Tesla stock, which fell nearly 3 per cent on Monday.
