Heroes of the Thai cave ordeal

Amid the conflicts and tragedies of daily news cycles around the world, people everywhere are transfixed by the expertise and selfless courage of the divers endeavouring to rescue 12 boys and their soccer coach from rising waters in a cave about 800m to 1km underground in northern Thailand. Their rescue could begin today.

The exercise, potentially, is deadly dangerous, with monsoonal rains forecast to resume this weekend. If the boys, who reportedly cannot swim, are too weak or unable to learn to scuba dive to attempt a treacherous escape through a labyrinth of narrow tunnels, they may have to stay put for four months, waiting as the water recedes.

After many had given up hope, the boys’ families, along with much of the world, relished the moment of joy and relief on Monday when they were discovered, clinging together on a muddy, sloping ledge deep inside the pitch-black cave. After 10 days of desperate searching, it felt like a miracle. They were discovered by two amateur but experienced British cave divers, Richard Stanton and John Volanthen, who volunteered for the mission. They were followed by a team including Thai navy SEAL divers and members of the Australian Federal Police Specialist Response Group.

The rescuers, who risked their lives as they inched along 2km of cave walls, fighting swirling floodwaters, are real heroes. So is the young Thai navy doctor who has volunteered to spend the next four months underground to look after the boys if need be. Whatever plan is judged likeliest to deliver the party to safety, people around the world will be willing them on with thoughts, prayers and bitten nails as the group makes a dash for freedom or holds on.