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Thailand: more time needed to get soccer team out of cave

Governor of Thai Chiang Rai province Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters on July 3 that it will take time to get the cave-trapped boys and their football coach out.
Thailand: more time needed to get soccer team out of cave ảnh 1The cave-trapped boys and their football coach when they are found (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok (VNA) - Governor of Thai Chiang Rai provinceNarongsak Osottanakorn told reporters on July 3 that it will take time to getthe cave-trapped boys and their football coach out as the team are exhaustedand the cave is deeply submerged.

Rescuers found the 12 boys aged 11 to 16 and their25-year-old coach at higher ground about 400m away from the first predictedlocation after their nine days trapped inside Tham Luang cave.

The Governor said they are all safe, but the rescue missionis not completed and there are still challenges ahead in bringing them out ofthe flooded cave in Mae Sai district.

He said the boys are exhausted given the fact that they werethere without food and water for almost 10 days, adding that 16 Thai Navy SEALdivers have been sent to the location to stay with the boys, to keep tabs ontheir health and prepare them for evacuation. The divers took some special foodsuch as power gel and water for them.

Governor Narongsak says the process to prepare the boys forevacuation will take a few days and the best way is still being considered.Meanwhile, other efforts to access the cave, such as drilling through the caveroof, and finding alternative passages, as well as draining water out of thecave, will continue.

The governor thanked both Thai and international volunteersfor their dedication in the operation, appreciating personnel and equipmentsupport by the US, the UK, China, Russia, Belgium, Japan, Laos and Israel.

Meanwhile, the Thai armed forces said to get out of thecave, the boys will have to cross some sections submerged under 5m of water.

According to a statement from the forces, one option is toprovide food and diving training to all the 13 people so that they can move out.The process may take up to four months.

Located in the Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park,Tham Luang cave is an adventure tourism destination in Thailand. It is oftenclosed during the raining season from July to December. Visitors are allowed toenter maximum 700m deep into the cave.-VNA
VNA
#Thai trapped soccer team #Narongsak Osottanakorn #Tham Luang cave #Thailand more time needed to get soccer team out of cave #Vietnam News Agency #vietnamplus Thailand
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