The worst is certainly over for the Thai boys who have been rescued from a flooded cave after being trapped there with their soccer coach for more than two weeks. But even though they're out of immediate danger, it may be some time before they've recovered from the physical and mental consequences of their harrowing ordeal.
The first four boys were brought to safety Sunday, and four more rescues followed on Monday. Officials are planning to free the last four boys and their coach in the next few days.
The rescued team members, ages 11 to 16, have been taken to hospitals in Chiang Rai, where they are under quarantine. Although medical professionals have said the boys' overall health is good, the boys have not yet been allowed to see their families.
Thai officials have provided few details about the soccer players' conditions. The team members had been exploring a cave on their way home from a soccer practice on June 23 when heavy rains flooded their exit route.
Experts say the boys could be coping with a variety of medical problems stemming from their weeks trapped in the cave, such as exposure to infectious diseases, low oxygen, cold temperatures and food deprivation.
Dr. Roger Mortimer is the medical director of the CMC Family Health Center in Fresno, Calif., and has been an active caver for 30 years. He has been involved in cave rescue operations for 20 years and currently serves as the coordinator of the National Cave Rescue Commission's Western region.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, he discussed the health challenges the soccer players and their coach might face after being removed from the cave.
