Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Good News: Thai soccer team safe after nine days trapped in cave

CNN is reporting that:  "Rescue teams have found all 12 boys and their soccer coach alive in a cave in Thailand nine days after the group went missing."   Ranging in age from 11 to 16, the soccer team was on an outing when they "became stranded in the dark tunnels by a sudden and continuous downpour."

International rescue teams, including Thai Navy SEALS and experts from the US, China, Australia and the UK were involved in the effort.   Apparently as flooding waters filled the intricate cave system, the group went deeper into the caves hoping to find refuge.

Authorities have confirmed that all of the boys are safe, although they have had little food for more than a week and are in a weakened condition.   And it will still take some work to get them out of the cave due to water filling the large, deep chambers which will have to be drained.

Medical doctors who are also divers are standing by to go in when it becomes possible so that they can stabilize the boys' conditions before trying to take them out.

The cave labyrinth is popular with tourists attracted by the limestone formations and an amphitheater-like area.   But then it becomes treacherous after the first kilometer, as it branches off into smaller areas that can easily become blocked by water flooding into the system.

Well, it's refreshing to have a spot of good news after the last week.    Deep breaths . . . . slow . . . deep . . . just breathe.

Ralph

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