Rescuers at the entrance of Tham Luang cave (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – Rescue efforts tosave 12 teenager footballers and their coach trapped in Tham Luang cave inThailand could take from two to four days to complete, said rescue missionchief Narongsak Osottanakorn on July 8.
Many favourable conditions have arisen to getthe boys out, including ideal weather and lower water level which allowswalking instead of diving, he added.
Rescue operation to save the trapped teamstarted at 10:00 (local time) on July 8. The water level in the cave is currentlylow, only 30 percent compared to the time local people began to pump water out.Divers can walk from the cave’s first chamber to the third, near the boys’location.
Thirteen foreign and five Thai divers areparticipating in the operation. Two divers would escort each of the boys out of thecave. The first boy was expected to be brought out of the cave by around 9:00pm (local time) after navigating the planned six-hour journey, Narongsak said.
In a press conference held the same day, heaffirmed that the team’s members are ready to face any challenges.
Earlier, more than 1,000 journalists whoregistered to cover the rescue were instructed to leave the cave entrance forthe rescue operation to start.
"Everyone who is not involved with theoperations has to get out of the area immediately," police announced vialoudspeaker at the site on the morning of July 8. From the situationassessment, police need to use the area to help victims, said Mae Sai policecommander Komsan Sa-ardluan.
The conditions are perfect for evacuation innext three or four days. Sustained heavy rains could make the water rise to theshelf where the children were staying.-VNA
