Thai Cave Rescuers Pull Out 4 More Boys

Divers have ended operations for the day; 4 boys and their coach remain
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 9, 2018 4:56 AM CDT
Updated Jul 9, 2018 8:35 AM CDT
Divers Return for Phase 2 of Cave Rescue
Two helicopters wait near the cave for more evacuations.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Four more boys were rescued from a cave system in Thailand on Monday, leaving four more boys and their soccer coach still stranded deep in the system as rescue operations suspended for the day, reports Reuters. Ambulances were seen leaving the scene. The development comes a day after four other boys were successfully rescued, the BBC reports. The massive operation, involving around 90 divers, was put on hold overnight so air tanks could be replaced, reports the AP. The second phase of the operation was launched Monday morning local time, with divers returning to the cave system. The boys (there were a total of 12) and the coach will be brought out one by one, with each escorted through the cave network by two divers, authorities say.

Narongsak Osottanakorn, chief of the rescue mission, says the first four rescued boys have been hospitalized and haven't been reunited with their families yet because of the risk of infection, though they may be allowed to see them through a glass door. He says that water levels in the cave system, where a massive pumping operation has taken place, haven't risen despite rain on Sunday, and some passageways are walkable. Authorities decided to carry out the high-risk rescue because monsoons threatened to flood the caves even more, including the dry ledge where the trapped boys and their coach ended up. (The coach has sent out a message apologizing to the boys' parents.)

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