Thailand cave rescue live: No rescue attempt until boys learn to use diving equipment, says top official

Former navy SEAL diver dies trying to prepare for boys' rescue as threat of new rains is imminent

Missing Thai boys found trapped in cave with their football coach

Authorities in Thailand say they cannot immediately attempt an underwater evacuation of free 12 boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand, as the children have not yet learnt to use dive equipment. That is despite imminent new rainstorms threatening to undo all their best efforts to drain water from the cave network.

The official in immediate charge of the operation, Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn, indicated strongly at a midnight news conference that if heavy rains started and appeared to be causing flooded areas in the cave to rise again, they would try to take the boys out with divers right away.

In addition to the rains, a new urgent threat has emerged in the form of reduced oxygen levels in the chamber where the boys are trapped. The navy SEAL commander leading the operation said today: “We originally thought the boys can stay safe inside the cave for quite some time but circumstances have changed. We have a limited amount of time.”

The dangers involved in getting the boys out of the cave were emphasised overnight when an experienced diver, 38-year-old former navy SEAL Saman Gunan, died after falling unconscious underwater. He is to be given a royal-sponsored funeral.

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Authorities have been racing to pump out water from the cave before more storms hit the region in the coming days and send water levels rising again.

At this time though, the only way for the boys to get out of the cave is by diving, something cave rescue experts warn is extremely dangerous even for those with experience.

Friday’s death of the former Seal underscores those risks. The diver was working in a volunteer capacity and died during an overnight mission in which he was placing oxygen canisters along the route divers must take to get to the children, navy SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew said.

The strategically placed canisters allow divers to stay under water for longer during what is about a five-hour trip to reach the stranded team.

While underwater, the rescuer passed out and efforts to resuscitate him failed, Mr Arpakorn said.

Another navy official said he did not believe the man’s oxygen tank ran out.

“Despite this, we will continue until we accomplish our mission,” Mr Arpakorn said.

Key Points

• Former navy SEAL dies trying to rescue trapped boys
• Elon Musk comes up with bizarre solution to the situation
• Officials rule out rescue operation until boys learn how to dive sufficiently

[6 July 2018 16:53 · Andrew Buncombe]

Reporter Richard Gaisford believes an update from Thai officials on their next steps could be imminent

[6 July 2018 16:57 · Andrew Buncombe]

Belgian diver Ben Reymenants, also paid tribute to 38 year old Samarn Gunan, the former Thai navy diver who had volunteered for the rescue attempt and who died earlier today.

"There are those who would rather not swim in the cave anymore and be replaced. I also knew him myself and dived with him,” he said.

"He was very experienced and had a top condition as a triathlete, so the event came unexpectedly.

"What has just gone wrong is not yet clear. Maybe he got out of consciousness because of carbon dioxide, his vision was limited, he got a lot of stress or bad air got into his tank. That will have to prove an autopsy."

[6 July 2018 17:05 · Andrew Buncombe]

The Thai media's coverage of the cave drama been criticised for its sensationalism, according to a report The Nation, one of Bangkok's two daily English-language newspapers

[6 July 2018 17:08 · Andrew Buncombe]

The body of the former Thai Navy SEAL who died earlier today, is being returned home, according to the Bangkok Post: 

[6 July 2018 17:12 · Andrew Buncombe]

Edoardo Siani has written a fascinating essay in the New Mandela blog about the role of myth and politics in Thailand’s cave rescue operation:

[6 July 2018 17:32 · Andrew Buncombe]

Courtesy of Jacob Goldberg, who is at the site of the rescue operation, this is the scene confronting journalists, who believe they are waiting for a statement for the Interior Minister: 

[6 July 2018 17:39 · Andrew Buncombe]

Croatia's national soccer team, which is competing in the World Cup, has offered its “support and love” to the young Thai players.

According to the AP, in a statement, the team said: “We are impressed with the courage and strength the young boys and their coach have shown despite the scary circumstances they find themselves in.” 

[6 July 2018 17:56 · Andrew Buncombe]

According to a reporter with Channel News Asia, birds nest collectors from the south of the country joined in rescue efforts by trying to find an open shaft to the cave. So far, their efforts have been in vain:

[6 July 2018 18:17 · Andrew Buncombe]

According to Guadian reporter Michael Safi, Belgian diver Ben Rayaments is now denying that Belgian report, saying it is "incorrect"

[6 July 2018 18:19 · Andrew Buncombe]

Meanwhile, a press conference has started with the governor of Chiang Rai province. "The boys entered through the front of the cave, they will come out through the front.”