Thailand cave rescue: All 12 boys and coach rescued, watch live
The Thai Navy SEALs have confirmed all 12 boys and their coach are out, with the remaining divers also safe | WATCH LIVE
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the third day of operations to rescue the Thai soccer team trapped inside flooded caves. Our correspondent Amanda Hodge is reporting from outside the Tham Luang cave in Mae Sai.
Key events
• 12 boys and their coach have now been rescued
• The first of today’s evacuations happened just after 7pm AEST
• It has emerged that some boys needed to be sedated before their rescue
12.40am: Entire rescue team out of cave
Very pleased to report that EVERYONE is now out of the cave. Three seals and medic have just walked out of #thamluangcave
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
11.55pm: Confirmed: remaining divers on way out of cave
The Australian has been told the three Navy SEALs and medic are now on their way out of the cave.
They too will need to undergo thorough medical checks, as have all the children and their coach, because of the time spent in Tham Luang cave.
We have been told they began making their way out of the cave once the last Wild Boar footballer was out.
11.45pm: Four remaining divers out: reports
There are reports yet to be confirmed that the remaining three Navy SEALs and medic are now out of the cave as well, bringing the rescue mission to a close. All twelve boys and their coach were rescued by 6.50pm (9.50pm AEST) this evening.
Charlie Peel 11.31pm: UK divers lauded as heroes
Friends of the British cave divers who led the rescue of the Wild Hogs soccer team have described the men as heroes who deserved awards recognising their efforts.
After more than a week of exhaustive diving missions deep inside the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand, amateur cave divers Richard Stanton, 56, and John Volanthen, 47, were finally able to rest last night after all twelve boys and their coach were evacuated safely.
The members of the volunteer British Cave Rescue Council, which coordinated parts of the rescue mission from the UK and on the ground in Thailand, were asked to help by the Thai government and were among the first international divers to join the recuse attempt.
Video footage recorded by Mr Volanthen captured the moment he surfaced from water within the flooded cave and laid eyes on the soccer team.
“How many of you?” Mr Volanthen asked the wide-eyed boys.
“Thirteen? Brilliant.”
The discovery, ten days after the team first became trapped, grabbed international attention and thrust Mr Volanthen and Mr Stanton into the limelight.
Friends of Mr Volanthen, an internet engineer from Bristol, and Mr Stanton, a former firefighter from West Midlands, said the pair would shy away from accolades, reluctant to find themselves the centre of public attention.
“They are heroes,” a friend of the pair told The Australian.
“But very humble ones to say the least.”
They have been recognised for their bravery and expertise before.
In 2012, they visited Buckingham Palace where Princess Anne presented them with medals from the Royal Humane Society for their attempt to rescue a French cave diver in Ardèche Gorge, France, in 2010.
That dive, similar to stretches in the Thai caves, required the men to navigate through a water-filled sump to rescue the French diver who had travelled 700 metres into the system – further than anyone had gone before.
“Few cave divers in the world have the skills and equipment to follow this man and the nearest were Richard and John,” a Human Society Report said.
They volunteered to help and eventually found their way through a blockage but were unable to bring the diver’s body to the surface.
Andy Evans, a member of the British Caving Association and former president of the World Caving Association, told The Australian the duo’s efforts in Thailand were heroic.
“It should not, in any circumstances, be underrated what they’ve done,” he said.
“They are the best of the best at doing it but it is still a bloody difficult, very, very dangerous thing that they’ve done.”
The very real dangers of the extraction mission were brought home by the death of former Thai Navy Seal Sergeant Major Saman Gunan, 38, who died after running out of oxygen while returning from ferrying cannisters to the boys.
After several missions to the furthest reaches of the cave system, Mr Volanthen and Mr Stanton would be exhausted, Mr Evans said.
“They’ve been in and out lots of times,” he said.
“It has been very much the realm of the cave diver, some of the open water divers have struggled because it’s just not their scene.
“Once the very, very experienced cave divers got involved, it really turned it around.”
Mr Evans said descriptions of the duo as the “A team” were not exaggerated.
“It’s true that they are the most experienced, I don’t think anyone would doubt that,” he said.
“They explore underwater caves for a hobby, in their spare time. They are used to doing it and they are at home underwater and underground.
“That’s why they are relatively comfortable doing it, but obviously it has immense dangers.”
Mr Evans said the caving association had already started to prep Mr Volanthen and Mr Stanton on the massive amount of media attention they were likely to encounter when they arrive home in the UK.
“I think they’ll be pretty reluctant to give press conferences,” he said.
“It’s obviously going to make a hell of a good program.”
The BCRC volunteers were among a core group of about 13 cave diving experts who coordinated theission and led Navy divers from several nations throughout the mission.
Every day they were required to swim, scuba dive, climb and explore their way through the dark caves.
They were also given the task of teaching the boys how to stay calm during the dive out.
UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field said the country was proud of the efforts of the British cavers involve in the rescue mission.
“Congratulations to Thailand on the success of the complex and exacting #ThamLuang cave rescue mission,” he said on Twitter.
“Really proud of the work of the brave volunteers of the #britishcaverescuecouncil.
“Delighted that UK expertise was able to contribute to this excellent result.”
11.24pm: Celebrations tinged with sadness
Celebrations will be tinged with sadness over the loss of a former Thai navy diver who died last Friday while on a re-supply mission inside the cave in support of the rescue.
“The mission has been accomplished,” said Suthee Sommart, 45, a rescuer who had been working in a team scouring for cave openings. “I never lost hope. We always knew they would be alive.
“This mission is very special. We have made history.” Three members of the Thai SEAL unit and an army doctor, who has stayed with the boys since they were found, were the last people due to come out of the cave, the unit said.
It is not yet clear what condition those brought out on Tuesday are in. The eight boys brought out on Sunday and Monday were in good health overall, although two had suspected lung infections.
The boys were still being quarantined from their parents because of the risk of infection and would likely be kept in hospital for a week to undergo tests, officials said earlier on Tuesday.
AP
10.50pm: ‘We are not sure if this is a miracle’
More from the Thai Navy SEALs: “We are not sure if this is a miracle, a science, or what. All the thirteen Wild Boars are now out of the cave.”
10.40pm: Tump congratulates SEALs
On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the Thai Navy SEALs and all on the successful rescue of the 12 boys and their coach from the treacherous cave in Thailand. Such a beautiful moment - all freed, great job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2018
9.51pm: All boys and coach confirmed safe
The Thai Navy SEALs have confirmed all 12 boys and their coach now out of cave. An incredible, an extraordinary rescue mission. Congratulations to the hundreds of people involved in this effort. Now for the three Navy SEALs and one medic.
9.33pm: All 12 boys and coach rescued
There are local reports yet to be confirmed that all 12 boys and their coach have been rescued from the Tham Luang cave. Meanwhile, the ninth boy saved has reached Chiang Rai hospital, while a helicopter has just flown over the Tham Luang media centre transporting the tenth and eleventh boys from the cave site to the same hospital.
We are hearing unconfirmed reports that all THIRTEEN boys and their coach have been rescued from #thamluangcave. Waiting for confirmation
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
9.22pm: Australian diver ‘central’ to mission
The Australian has been told Adelaide anesthetist Dr Richard Harris has continued to play a central role in the rescue operation, diving each day all the way to where the boys are perched to check on their condition before clearing them to dive.
He only leaves the cave when the last boy is rescued each day is well on his way.
Also contributing to the mammoth rescue effort — which now looks very close to being successfully completed — are six AFP divers and one Royal Australian Navy diver.
8.47pm: PM confirms boys given anti-anxiety drugs
Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha was asked today whether the kids being brought out of the cave were totally sedated he said: “Who the hell would give to kids”.
However, he did confirm they were given anti-anxiety drugs to calm their nerves — similar to medication he takes himself before he goes shooting.
8.22pm: 11 now evacuated
Thai news agency Khaosod English is now saying 11 people are now out of the cave.
8.15pm: Boys ‘needed to be sedated’
Thai English-language news site Khaosod English is citing a source as saying that doctors administered anti-anxiety medication before the boys began their dive and that the reason why it is taking time for them to emerge from the cave is because they need to revive them fully.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha reportedly revealed last night that the boys were medically sedated with anti-anxiety drugs to calm their nerves.
8.05pm: Details emerge of rescued boys
More on the evacuation of the ninth and tenth boys today.
Thai news agency @mthai reporting that Wild Boar team members nine and ten now at #thamluang field hospital
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
7.47pm: Three team members remain underground
Reuters and Khaosod are now reporting that a tenth person has come out of the Tham Luang cave. If confirmed that means just three Wild Boar football team members — two players and the coach — are still to emerge from the flooded cavern.
7.38pm: Tenth boy has been rescued
BREAKING: Another boy emerges.
Reuters reporting TENTH person seen carried out from #thamluangcave. If confirmed, there are just three Wild Boar team members of the original 13 still to emerge from the cave, followed by the courageous army medic and 3 NavySEALS who have stuck with these boys thru their ordeal https://t.co/w0D702aEhq
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
7.30pm: Confidence grows in Thailand
Thai news agency @MThai tweets nine “oinks†(below) in celebration of the NINTH Wild Boar footballer to emerge from the cave. Four to go. Then three NavySEALS And medic. https://t.co/3fKGV6JEJ8
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
7.15pm: Ninth boy emerges
BREAKING: It has been confirmed that the ninth boy has emerged from the cave. The boy was brought out around 4.12pm local time (7.12pm AEST), the first of five remaining young footballers hoping to be rescued.
7pm: Movement near the cave site
No one has yet arrived at #thamluang cave field hospital yet but two helicopters are getting ready to fly from the site
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
6.45pm: Ambulance sighting sparks excitement
AP reporting an ambulance seen leaving the site of the #thamluangcave. But still NO confirmation that the ninth boy has been rescued.
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
6pm: Final rescue mission continues
If the rescue timeline of the previous days is a good guide, and all is going well, the 9th boy should be emerging soon from #thamluangcave on what we hope will be the final day of this incredible rescue effort. Standby for updates
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
5.45pm: Elon Musk comes under fire
Isn’t there something a little stinky about a man who uses the plight of trapped children to market his rockety devices? Caroline Overington voices the disapproval of many about the intervention of Elon Musk.
5.30pm: Volunteers make vital contribution
At a hilltop village on Doi Nang Non mountain, the unsung heroes of the Thai cave rescue are beginning another day of dangerous work, AAP writes.
53-year-old Thawatchai springs into action and starts clapping his hands to get his young charges ready.
Many of them, both men and women, are not much older than the boys trapped in the cave.
Every day, up to 60 volunteers from different villages try to stop water leaking into the caves, where the remaining four boys and their coach are trapped.
But the danger of their work became apparent on Monday when Thawatchai, who travelled from a Bangkok rescue team to support the work, fell eight metres while laying water pipes near the mountain top and injured his ribs. “No, I don’t want to see a doctor,” he tells AAP as he grabs his left side. “There is a lot of water (to move) today.”
Thawatchai’s group, and many more based in clusters of hillside villages, are climbing up steep jungle slopes to plug holes and lay pipes to divert heavy water flows into the cave.
The majority of the volunteers are tribe people who know the terrain well. “They can tell us where the holes are and where we can divert the water,” says Captain Pacharapon Sukpang, who for the past seven days has been helping co- ordinate the little-publicised efforts.
“The important thing is to stop the water getting into the cave, so water levels remain low.”
Capt Prachaporn says the Navy SEALs and expert hydrologists inside the cave contacted him to see if the volunteers could stem the flow of water into the cave system.
“When they call they are in the cave and the water is too high,” he says. “They want the volunteers to locate where the water is coming in from and stop it.”
The hillside village clusters, known as tambons, are also providing free coffee, power drinks and snacks to the rescue teams. The money comes out of their own pockets.
“We have to do something to help the rescue. The boys are young, they were pursuing adventure. We should not judge them,” says Niwag.
When asked how he felt when the first boys were rescued, Thawatchai, a stocky tattooed man, says nothing and makes a gesture of a tear flowing down his check. “My job is not big. But I will do any small thing I can to help.”
5pm: Ambulances on standby
We are hearing there are nine ambulances at an air base near the Tham Luang cave site ahead of today’s biggest and final rescue.
The last five of the Wild Boar football team, three Thai Navy SEALs and an army medic must also make the perilous and difficult 3.2km journey out this afternoon after almost 12 solid hours of rain.
4.45pm: More on the health of rescued boys
Health officials today reveal that almost all of the eight children rescued from #thamluangcave so far have had high white blood cell counts, suggesting infection. https://t.co/o2KFInz9wq
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
4.10pm: ‘We will celebrate together’
The Thai Navy SEALs have revealed their excitement at the looming conclusion of the monumental rescue effort they have led for more than a fortnight now in a new Facebook Post
The post begins with their signature battle cry:
Hooyah
Today is 10 July 2018. It will be longer than previous ones. We will celebrate together!
Hooyah!
3.50pm: ‘Thanks but no thanks’ for Elon
Elon Musk has been touting his “kid submarine’’ as a possible solution for rescuing the trapped boys in a Thai cave. Rescuers weren’t convinced. Full story here
3.10pm: Cheers as final rescue revealed
The remaining four Wild Boar football players and their coach still trapped inside the flooded Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand will be freed today, rescue chief Narongsak Osaththanakorn has just said.
“If there are no abnormal factors, five will come out today,” he announced to spontaneous cheers from the assembled media.
“Today we might have to wait longer but it will be worth the wait,” he said.
“If everything goes right we will see four kids, a doctor and SEALS that have stayed with the kids, all come out. Plus one coach, so it is five — and a doctor and three SEALS — so nine in all.”
A team of 19 divers, one more than the two previous days, entered the cave at 10.08am local time today (1.08pm AEST) thanks to swift preparations by the diving logistics teams who spent another night checking equipment, filling tanks and placing them at intervals along the 3.2km route to where the last five are spending their last hours ahead of their hoped-for evacuation.
But all non-essential rescue workers had now been cleared from the cave.
“Those not involved in the mission are not allowed in,” Mr Narongsak said. “Only medical teams and divers.”
Mr Narongsak said rescuers were eager to get an early start this morning because of the rain conditions.
While rain has persisted throughout the night and this morning in Mae Sai, on the Myanmar border, those teams monitoring water flows into the cave and water drainage out of it have confirmed conditions remained stable.
Mr Narongsak said he did not know how long it would take to retrieve each of the five trapped players.
On Sunday it took rescuers eleven hours to free the first four boys. yesterday it took nine, “so we expect equal or better today”, he said.
Families of the second group of boys rescued last night would be transported from the Tham Luang cave area the 70km to Chiang Rai hospital where their boys remained in quarantine awaiting the results of an extensive health assessment, including blood tests, heart rate monitoring and lung X-rays.
“Some of them have low body temperature and they’re being tested now with results due in 24 to 48 hours,” he said.
“In the case of the first four, yesterday relations were allowed to meet them though a glass window which is the safest way to meet them in the first 48 hours.”
All of the children would be kept under hospital observation for at least a week, and it could be that long before they will be allowed normal visits with their loved ones.
2.54pm: Last five coming out today
After many days of anguish, the ordeal should soon be over for the boys and their families.
“If there are no abnormal factors all five will come out today,” the rescue chief told the media, who erupted in cheers.
2.32pm: The boys have lost weight
The first group of boys rescued from Tham Luang cave have seen and spoken to their parents through a quarantined hospital room and the second four will be allowed to do so tonight, health officials have just said at a press conference at Chiang Rai hospital where all eight are being treated.
Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Jesada Chokedamrongsuk also revealed that the eight boys rescued so far are aged between 12 and 16.
That suggests the youngest member of the group - Chanin “Titan” Wiboonrungrueng, 11 - has now been freed and that the 25-year-old coach remains inside the flooded cave with the last of the four young members of is Wild Boars football team.
Dr Jesada said all the boys were doing well and were “happy and delighted” to be out of the cave.
Lung x-rays had revealed that two of them had the beginnings of mild pneumonia but they were now being treated with antibiotics.
“They’ve been evaluated for hypothermia, blood testing, lung x-rays, heart rate, and also have received IV fluids and vaccines, and vitamin B1,” he said.
All of the boys were also receiving psychological counselling but appeared to be in good spirits.
“This morning they’re quite fresh. They are all talking and ok,” Dr Jesada said. “Now none have fever and they can move around easily by themselves.”
“Don’t worry about their health. Of course they have all lost weight,” but otherwise were fine, he said, adding their resilience could be explained by the fact “they’re all football players and strong”..
The first group of boys rescued Sunday - aged 14 to 16 - have been complaining of hunger and today will be allowed to eat normal food so long as it is “not too spicy and easy to digest,” Chiang Rai hospital director Chaiyawej Thanapaisal said.
They have also asked for, and received, a small amount of chocolate.
The second group of boys would likely be able to meet their families, as long as they stayed outside the quarantined hospital room and were content to speak to their children via phones stationed inside and out of the room until the results of the blood tests are known within 48 hours.
“If the blood results are normal we might let the families into meet them but they will have to put on sterile hospital gowns,” he added.
Health officials also revealed that the rescuers shielded the boys’ eyes with gauze before they were evacuated from the cave and that all the boys have been required to initially wear sunglasses to protect their eyes.
All of the rescued footballers will be kept in the hospital for a minimum seven days to protect them from infection and will need to spend the first 48 hours in quarantine.
The eight boys had initially suffered mild ailments such as coughs, fever, low heart rate and scratches
2.10pm: Boys wearing sunnies in hospital
After almost two weeks underground in pitch black, the boys rescued so far are wearing sunglasses in hospital to protect their eyes, say health officials.
1.34pm: Boys have suspected lung infection
Two of the rescued have suspected lung infections, Thai officials say. The boys have been quarantined while they’ve been tested for the lung infection histoplasmosis - also known as cave disease - which can be fatal if left untreated. All eight of the rescued boys are on IV drips and are being treated with anti-biotics.
Chiang Rai health officials say the eight boys rescued from #thamluangcave are suffering ailments from mild coughs, fever, low heart rate and scratches. Otherwise they’re doing well.
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
1.20pm: Wild Boar coach remains in cave
The Wild Boars coach is still in the cave, health officials have confirmed, saying the boys who have been taken out are aged 12 to 16. Coach Ekkapol Chantawong was reported to be in weak health after giving his share of the team’s meagre food supplies to the boys.
The first four boys who were evacuated on Sunday are now able to eat normal food, a health official said.
Chiang Rai health official says the rescued boys met with Thai PM Prayut Chan-ocha last night at hospital. “They joked, smiled and chatted with PMâ€
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
1.10pm: Rescuers confident of taking all 5 out today
AFP is reporting that rescuers are confident they can bring out all five of the remaining young Thai footballers trapped inside the flooded Tham Luang cave complex today.
Last night, command rescue chief Narongsak Osaththanakorn said he did not know whether divers would complete the rescue today, after extracting another four boys yesterday, bringing the total number now rescued to eight.
“The rescue plan is designed for rescuing four,” he said of the dive rescue team. “For safety the best number is four.”
But it seems clear that the rescuers are very keen to finish this operation today., particularly as heavy rain has appeared to settle in.
12.50pm: ‘No kid has cave dived like this’
Ivan Karadzic, a Danish diver who is part of the rescue team, has described the feat of the “incredibly strong” young boys in diving out of the cave.
“No kid has cave dived like this before,” he told the BBC, and told NBC that anyone who had not cave dived before would find the experience “extremely fearful.”
Asked how he felt when he saw the first boy being borught toward him, he said: “I was very scared. I didn’t know if it was a casualty or a kid. It didn’t feel good.”
Mr Karadzic said that, thanks to water pumps, it was easier by the hour to get in and out of the cave.
However, he said: “They’re diving in something considered an extremely hazardous environment with no training in zero visibility, the only light that is in there is the torch light we bring ourselves. We were obviously very afraid of any kind of panic from the divers. Then there is multiple equipment malfunction as you can imagine.
“I can’t understand how cool these small kids are, you know?
“Thinking about how they’ve been kept in a small cave for two weeks, they haven’t seen their Mums. Incredibly strong kids. Unbelievable almost.
12.35pm: Rain Gods look away
Last night the Commander of the Thai 37th army district, Buncha Duriyathan, thanked the Hindu God of Rain, Pra Pirun, for keeping the weather away from the Tham Luang rescue effort.
This morning it looks a little like the Gods have forsaken us.
Solid rain has been falling persistently throughout the morning and getting heavier just now
General Buncha told the media last night that the rescue team was handling the rain so far and that the water was draining well from the cave and keeping water levels down inside for the divers and rescue team.
There is no word on whether this heavier rain will affect the operation today.
The weather Gods have not been so kind this morning at Mae Sai where divers are preparing to enter the #Thamluangcave for what we hope could be the last day of the rescue effort. Five young footballers are still waiting to be freed from the flooded cavern pic.twitter.com/BKxTiQKrbx
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
12.10pm: Rescued boys stay in quarantine
Chiang Rai health officials are holding a press conference this morning at Prachanukroh Hospital in Chiang Rai to discuss the health of the eight boys freed from Tham Luang cave who are now being treated there.
Four of the boys have been in quarantine for 36 hours and the others for 13.
The last five members of the Wild Boar football team, possibly including its 25-year-old coach, are now waiting on the sandy slope where they have been sheltering for 17 days for divers.
If the last two days are a reliable precedent, the 13 international and five Thai navy divers will enter the cave between 10am and 11am local time (1pm - 2pm AEST).
Yesterday the first boy was out by 4.45pm (7.45pm AEST)and the next three came out in the 130 minutes after that.
Rescuers brought the four boys out of the cave two hours more quickly yesterday than they did on Sunday. The rescue plan is going like clockwork
But they will not be rushing. This is a difficult and gruelling operation and there are many lives at stake
11.25am: ‘Cave diving is a monster’
A cave diver who identifies herself onlly as “Puff” has gone on to Twitter to describe the dangers of this particular specialty and highlight just exactly what the divers have to contend with as they rescue the boys.
“You have a catastrophic gear failure? You die,” she has tweeted. “You go in untrained? Guess who gets to pull you bloated corpse out.”
‘Puff’ also describes what it is like as a lifeguard trying to save a drowning person.
“Have you seen someone panic? Genuine, gut shaking, panic? I have and it’s uncontrollable. As a lifeguard, you learn that a drowning person is likely to try to kill you in their panic. It’s the same for rescue diving.”
Cave diving is a monster.
— Puff, probably a real person (@Where_is_Puff) July 9, 2018
Open water: bright, well lit ocean floor, low current, pretty fish, low risk of death. Problem? Gently ascend and go to your boat.
Cave diving: dark, muddy tunnels, medium to high current. You are kicking and breathing so hard you get headaches
10.30am: Day of rain ahead of rescue
More rain is forecast today as the last five members of the soccer team wait for their rescue. However it remains relatively light ahead of a storm predicted for tonight.
Raining this morning in Mae Sai on what we hope will be the final day of rescues from #Thamluangcave. To recap, EIGHT boys now freed after four more brought out last night. Miraculously they are all said to be welll. Surely a difficult night for the five left. Not long now
— amanda hodge (@hodgeamanda) July 10, 2018
10.20am: Cave disease concerns
The rescued boys will be quarantined and tested for the potentially fatal airborne lung disease histoplasmosis, or ‘cave disease.’
Caused by a fungus found in bird or bat droppings, the infection can spread in wet, humid areas when microscopic spores are inhaled into the lungs.
Symptoms, which are similar to pneumonia, can develop anywhere from three to 17 days after exposure to the fungus.
Rachel Baxendale 10.15am: Bishop proud of Aussie role
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she was very proud that Australians had been able to play such an important and critical role in the rescue.
Ms Bishop paid special tribute to Adelaide anaesthetist and medical extraction expert Richard Harris who is giving the all-clear ahead of each rescue operation.
“Dr Harris, for a start, has been intimately involved in the health assessment of the boys,” Ms Bishop said.
“Australian Federal Police divers have been part of the daisy chain of rescuers.
“The Navy clearance divers have also been involved and we have crisis response teams on the ground.”
Ms Bishop said she had not made direct contact with the Australians involved in the operation.
“Their priorities are on the rescue,” she said.
“But, our embassy in Bangkok is involved. We have people from our embassy there.
“At some appropriate time I will most certainly make contact with our team and thank them for the extraordinary work that they have put in and this is part of an international effort.
“We are not the only rescue team there. We are working under the guidance of the Thai government and the Thai Royal Navy, specifically, but there are also rescue teams from the United States and from China and Great Britain and others.”
9.15am: Musk visits caves
Billionaire entrepreneur, Tesla boss and SpaceX lead designer Elon Musk was inside ThamLuang caves this morning just after 5am with his “kid sized submarine”.
He has posted instagram video and twitter pix of the inside of the cave.
Mr Musk went in as far as the command centre in Chamber 3, 1500m in. “Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’ soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful,” he wrote.
Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’ soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful. pic.twitter.com/EHNh8ydaTT
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 9, 2018
9.00am: A holy surprise in store
The parents of the trapped boys have a surprise in store for them when they are all out safely and have recovered. No, not a trip to the World Cup final as has been suggested ... but a trip to local monasteries, where they will have their heads shaved and serve as Buddhist monks for up to a month.
8.50am: Will all five emerge today?
It isn’t sure whether all the remaining five young footballers will come out today. The official in charge of the Tham Luang rescue effort said that decision isn’t up to him. Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osaththanakorn told reporters: “It is up to the diving team. Their plan is designed for rescuing four. For safety the best number is four.” However, he assured them; “We have prepared and know the plan for our next mission tomorrow and we will be 100 per cent successful.”
8.45am: Safe but no hugs
All 12 boys and their coach must undergo blood and urine tests, as well as lung X-rays, to make sure they have not contracted any serious infections inside the cave such as melioidosis or leptospirosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease, says Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osaththanakorn
“This morning they complained they were hungry and asked for khao pad krapow (chicken with rice),” he said. “The medical team is considering whether to let close relatives visit them. It could be a visit through transparent glass rooms. We are discussing this with doctors at the hospital.”
A senior Chiang Rai Health Department official earlier told Thai media the boys would be allowed to see their families within 24 hours of quarantine, but could have no physical contact until blood test results were known.
“Visitors will only be allowed to meet and talk to the patients. No hugging or touching and they need to leave a 1m to 2m distance from the patients until the blood tests come back,” Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong said.
8.40am: ‘Cooperation of humanity’
The Thai navy SEALS have posted this cartoon on their website in praise of the enormous international effort to save the boys. Each animal represents a nation. The kangaroo, of course, is there representing the 19 person Australian team.
8.30am: How they emerged last night
Just a recap from last night: The first of four young footballers rescued yesterday was lifted by stretcher out of the cave about 4.45pm (7.45pm AEST), less than six hours after divers walked into the cave for the second dramatic day of a rescue operation that is being followed around the world. The last one of the night emerged just before 7pm (10pm).
All four were evacuated to Chiang Rai hospital where the first four boys, rescued a day earlier, were spending their second night in quarantine.
8.15am: Monday rescue shorter
Monday’s rescue, which began at 11am local time (2pm AEST) when the divers entered the cave and ended nine hours later when the last of the four boys arrived at Chiang Rai hospital, took two hours less time than Sunday’s operation. It indicates that the rescuers — the same team that entered the caves on Sunday — had been able to fine tune their manoeuvres to get the boys out.
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