Four Thai boys have been freed from cave – but rest remain trapped as dramatic rescue is paused
The official heading the operation said it was going better than expected but added that the healthier boys were being taken out first
Rescuers have freed four boys who were trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand for more than two weeks, but have had to pause the operation, leaving eight other boys and their 25-year-old coach underground.
The fourth boy left Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai Province shortly before 8pm local time on Sunday, the Thai navy Seals Facebook page announced.
Efforts to rescue the others – who will then have to wind 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) through pitch darkness, trudge through thick mud, clamber over slippery jagged rocks and dive through narrow passageways swirling with cold, strong currents – will resume on Monday morning.
But the complex nature of the mission and the 11-hour round trip to the boys means it could take four days before all are free. “It’s dangerous to the most experienced divers to go through,” said one diver. “It’s pretty scary.”
Local media and military sources earlier said that five boys had left the cave and a sixth boy was about to emerge or may already have done so, but a correction was later issued to four boys.
At about 9pm local time, the official heading the rescue said the next phase of the operation would start in 10 to 20 hours. The boys are aged between 11 and 16.
