Divers have begun a painstaking mission to rescue 12 Thai boys and their football coach from a flooded cave complex.
Officials in Chiang Rai described Sunday as “D-Day”, with expert divers facing a race against time to free the group, who have been trapped for more than a fortnight, before monsoon rains return.
The children will need to be led through the Tham Luang cave, which consists of a series of narrow, waterlogged passageways, for around two-and-a-half miles in poor visibility.
Even the most experienced divers find the route challenging, and a former Thai Navy Seal died on Friday trying to make the journey.
The rescue has become even more urgent following news heavy rains are expected to return to the region, which could shrink the air pocket where the team has been trapped to less than 10 square metres.
Live Updates
The Thai Navy Seals, who have been spearheading the rescue effort, have posted a photo on their Facebook page with a vow to bring the boys from the trapped Wild Boars football team home.
“We, the Thai team and the international team, will bring the Wild Boars home,” the unit said in the message.
