The fate of the members of football team, 12 boys and their assistant coach, is still unknown. Heavy rains have stopped rescue operations with the water level almost reaching the entrance to the 10-km cave. The authorities have deployed helicopters, troops and sniffer dogs to find other openings. The nation has been brought together to pray.
Chiang Rai (AsiaNews/Agencies) – US military staff and British divers will join rescue teams trying to find football (soccer) players trapped in the Tham Luang cave, Mae Sai, a district in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand.
After a night of persistent rain, rescue operations have entered their sixth day to find 12 boys, all aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old assistant coach.
The 10-km underground cave in the Tham Luang Khun Nam Nang Non Forest park has four chambers. This morning, the water level almost reached the main entrance of the cave.
Consequently, rescuers had to remove their equipment from the cave and wait for the flood level to subside.
Outside the cave, 132 police officers were deployed with sniffer dogs trying to find other openings into the cave. Meanwhile, army helicopters fly over the park.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said that 30 US specialists had arrived from Hawaii. The latter are considering boring into the cave to reach the missing boys.
At such a time, Thais have come together to pray. Phra Ratchapariyat, the chief monk of Phayao, held a religious ceremony with monk representatives from throughout the province at Wat Sri Khom Kham in Muang district.
Phra Khru Saengla Thammasiri, the abbot of Wat Phra That Sai Muang in the Myanmar town of Thachilek opposite Mae Sai, also came to the cave to pray for the missing and their families.
Two days ago, a candlelight vigil was organised to inspire hope that the light would bring them out of the cave safe.