#Roommates, a soccer team has been trapped deep inside a Thailand cave since June 23rd. The 12 boys and their coach were found inside the cave by two British divers on Monday sitting on a rock above flood waters, after nine days without fresh water or food.
According to CNN, the group had ventured inside the cave when it was dry but the heavy rains flooded it. Moonson flooding cut off their escape and prevented search and rescue teams from finding them for almost 10 days. The only way to reach the boys and their coach was to navigate through dark and tight passageways filled with muddy water and strong currents. One of Thailand’s divers ran out of air while underwater and died, showing just how hard this rescue mission is.
What’s interesting about this is officials thought the boys and their coach could stay down there for about four months. They planned to wait until water levels dropped enough for them to walk out, but the death of the rescue team member and new reports that oxygen levels are falling have caused officials to reassess the severity of the situation.
“We originally thought the young boys could stay safe inside the cave for quite a long time but circumstances have changed. We have limited amount of time,” Thai Navy SEAL chief Rear Adm. Aphakorn Yoo-kongkaew said.
Four Thai Navy SEALs, including a doctor, are with the boys, ages 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old soccer coach. They are planning on teaching the boys how to dive in attempt to safely navigate them out of the tunnel.
As of right now the boys are still in the tunnel while officials figure out when exactly is the right time for them to try and swim out.
We will keep you updated on this story!
