Some of the first boys from a schoolboy soccer team have emerged from the Thai cave where they had been trapped for almost two weeks.
At least four boys have now been rescued, according to various reports.
Thailand’s defence ministry spokesperson said that at least four boys have been rescued, as reported by AFP.
“Four boys have reached chamber three and will walk out of the cave shortly,” Lieutenant-General Kongcheep Tantrawanit said, according to the Irish Times.
Rescue teams at the entrance of the cave saying the lowered water has decreased the journey out of the cave as many chambers are walk-able right now.
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) July 8, 2018
According to a Press Association update from about 3pm Irish time, an official heading the cave rescue said the next phase of the operation will start in 10-20 hours.
#Breaking A Thai official heading the cave rescue says the next phase of the operation is to start in 10-20 hours
— Press Association (@PA) July 8, 2018
Thirteen foreign divers and five members of Thailand’s elite Navy Seal unit are trying to bring the rest of the boys - some as young as 11 and weak swimmers - through narrow, submerged passageways.
Governor at the Press conference saying 50 foreign divers and 40 thai divers are currently involved in the rescue efforts in Tham Luang cave
— Florian Witulski (@vaitor) July 8, 2018
The boys, thought to be between aged between 11 and 16, went missing with their 25-year-old coach after soccer practice on June 23rd and a massive rescue operation has been put in place to get them out to safety. The boys were discovered by British divers Richard Stanton and John Volanthen on Monday.
Rescuing the remainder of the team could take three to four days, depending on the rain, officials said.
The next phase of the operation will start shortly.
Reports also said that the schoolboys had given some rescuers handwritten notes urging family members "not to worry" about them.
