8 boys brought out of flooded Thai cave in 'immense' rescue operation

Rescue workers in Thailand on Monday brought four boys safely out of a labyrinthine flooded cave complex where a 12-member soccer squad and their coach have been trapped for more than two weeks, taking the total number rescued to eight.

The mission to save all those trapped could take three or fourdays, officials have said, a race against the clock with heavy rain expected this week that would again flood the tunnels withfast-flowing, rising water.

"The eighth person is out and the operation is done for today," Sitthichai Klangpattana, flag officer to Thailand's navy SEAL commander, told The Associated Press. "Four boys were brought out today."

He didn't comment on the health of the boys or how well the operation had gone.

The dramatic and dangerous rescue was launched on Sunday andfour boys were brought out that day. They were in good conditionin hospital, officials said.

"The rescue has been immense," said volunteer helper SomjitSaenset, 56. "I'm so happy the children came out safely. I wantto send my moral support for all involved" in the rest of themission.

Thai officials confirm eight boys rescued from cave

6 years ago

Duration 0:41

Teams will attempt to retrieve rest of soccer team after resting and refurbishing equipment

The Wild Boarssoccer team and their coach, 25, got trapped onJune 23 when they set out to explore the vast cave complex aftersoccer practice, but a rain season downpour flooded thetunnels.

British divers found the 13, huddled on a muddy bank in apartly flooded chamber several kilometres inside the complex, last Monday.

Efforts to rescue the boys aged 11 to 16 gotgoing again on Monday after a break to replenish oxygen suppliesand make other preparations deep inside the cave complex.

The death Friday of a former Thai navy SEAL underscored the risks. The diver, the first fatality of the rescue effort, was working in a volunteer capacity and died on a mission to place air canisters along the passage to where the boys are, necessary for divers to safely travel the five- to six-hour route.

Thirteen foreign divers and five members of Thailand's elite navy SEAL unit are the main team guiding the boys to safety through narrow, submerged passageways that claimed the life of a former Thai navy diver on Friday.

Narongsaksaid more personnel were being used in the rescue on Monday.

In good health

On Sunday, divers held the first four boys close to bringthem out, and each had to wear an oxygen mask to enable normalbreathing, authorities said.

Narongsak said rescuers had to tighten a guide rope as partof their preparations for Monday's operation.

Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda told reporters the fourboys rescued on Sunday were in good health in hospital but didnot give details. There was no word on the condition of any ofthe people brought out on Monday.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha went to the cave to inspectthe rescue operation, with navy rescuers giving him a rousingcheer.

Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the firstfour boys rescued. Some of the parents told Reuters they had not been told who had been rescued and that they were not allowed tovisit the hospital.

Narongsak said the rescued boys had not been identified outof respect for the families whose sons were still trapped,adding that the boys were being kept away from their parents because of fear of infection.

"The four children are well at Chiang Rai Prachanukrohhospital. But they still need to be kept away from their parentsand others," he said.

Medical teams previously said concerns included hypothermiaand an airborne lung infection known as "cave disease,"which iscaused by bat and bird droppings.

Somboon Sompiangjai, 38, the father of one of the trapped boys, said parents were told by rescuers ahead of Sunday's operation the "strongest children" would be brought out first.

"We have not been told which child has been brought out.... We can't visit our boys in hospital because they need to be monitored for 48 hours," Somboon told Reuters.

"I'm hoping for good news today," he said.

Another child rescued from Thai cave

6 years ago

Duration 1:00

Airlifted to hospital one day after first few soccer players were rescued

The cave complex is off-limits during the rainy season,which usually runs from May to October, when downpours canquickly flood it.

Relatives said the boys had been inside the complex duringthe dry season.

The president of soccer's governing body, FIFA, has invitedthe boys to the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday if they makeit out in time.