All twelve members and the coach of a youth soccer team have been safely rescued from an underwater cave in Thailand, concluding a dramatic three-day-long recovery effort led by the Thai Navy SEALs.
Eight of the players were rescued Sunday and Monday by teams of Thai and international divers, after spending more than two weeks in the the cave. The SEALS confirmed in a Tuesday Facebook post that the remaining four boys and their coach made it out safely on Tuesday.
“We are not sure if this is a miracle, a science, or what. All the thirteen Wild Boars are now out of the cave,” the SEALs wrote, referencing the name of the soccer team. “Everyone is safe.”
The boys, ages eleven to 16, initially went missing June 23 and quickly became marooned by heavy rains that flooded the intricate cave complex near the Thai–Myanmar border. They were discovered by a Thai search team nine days later.
The rescue mission, which was carried out by teams of elite military divers from all over the world, turned deadly Saturday afternoon when one Thai Navy SEAL died while attempting to deliver oxygen tanks to the stranded boys. The three-part operation was made especially difficult by the boys’ lack of diving and swimming experience, which required that two divers escort every boy on the roughly five-hour trip out of the caves. The boys were also provided anti-anxiety medication to prevent them from panicking during the journey.
President Trump congratulated the Thai Navy SEALs on their “beautiful” rescue effort in a Tuesday tweet.
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
The rescued boys have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and all appear to be in good condition, according to reports.