Authorities in Thailand say that they will not immediately attempt an underwater evacuation of 12 schoolboys who have been trapped in a cave for almost two weeks because they have not learned adequate diving skills in the few days since searchers reached the area where they are sheltering.
The official in immediate charge of the operation, Gov. 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.
Thai officials had been leaning in their public statements toward a quick underwater evacuation because of fear that access to the cave could soon close again because of seasonal monsoon rains expected this weekend. However, cave rescue specialists have cautioned against that approach except as a last resort, because of the dangers it poses.
FIFA Invites the Boys to World Cup Final in Russia
FIFA has sent a letter to the president of the Football Association of Thailand offering its “deepest sympathies and support” to the families of young soccer players and their coach trapped in cave in the country’s north.
The letter signed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino also says the organization would like to invite the youngsters and their coach to the World Cup final in Russia, should they be rescued in time and are healthy enough to travel.
Croatia Team Offers “Support and Love”
Croatia’s national soccer team, which is competing in the ongoing World Cup, has offered its “support and love” to the young Thai soccer team trapped in a cave.
The statement on Friday, 6 July 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.”
It added: “Such situations are larger than sport, but their sport spirits will give them strength to face this challenge.”
It finished with the message: “To our soccer family in Thailand, we wish to express our support and love, and we hope the boys and their coach will be together soon with their families.”
Elon Musk Sends Team to Thailand
Elon Musk says he is sending engineers from two of his companies to Thailand to see if they can help bring out the members of a youth soccer team trapped in a flooded cave.
Thai authorities on Friday, 6 July said a former navy SEAL working to rescue boys trapped in cave has died from lack of oxygen.
SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew told a news conference on Friday morning that the rescuer was working in a volunteer capacity and died during an overnight mission in which he was placing oxygen canisters.