• Divers entered cave at 10.08am to begin final phase • Authorities say they hope to bring final four boys and coach out today • Eight rescued boys are in good health, say officials • Elon Musk brings his mini-sub to Thailand • Meet the seven British divers playing leading roles • Parents told no hugging until quarantine over Thai authorities say they have launched a third rescue mission to bring out the remaining four boys and their coach trapped in the flooded cave complex in northern Thailand. Officials say a night of rain has further complicated what it is an already dangerous mission. But they are buoyed by the resilience of the rescued eight in hospital, who are hungry for bread and chocolate, they said. Narongsak Osottanakorn, the governor of Chiang Rai province and the head of the joint command centre coordinating the mission, told a briefing that the final push had begun. "I expect they will come out today, all of them," he said to cheers. Thai cave rescue effort | Read more Manwhile Jesada Chokdumrongsuk, deputy director-general of the Public Health Ministry, said the first four boys rescued, aged 12 to 16, are now able to eat normal food. Two of them possibly have a lung infection but all eight are generally "healthy and smiling," he said. "The kids are footballers so they have high immune systems," he said. "Everyone is in high spirits and are happy to get out. But we will have a psychiatrist to evaluate them." It could be at least seven days before they can be released from hospital. "Two days, eight Boars," read a Facebook post by the Thai Navy Seals of the dramatic rescue that began on Sunday, more than two weeks after the members of the Wild Boars soccer team were trapped. The eight rescued boys are recuperating in hospital from their ordeal huddled together on a tiny patch of higher ground where they had sought refuge after a rainstorm flooded the massive Tham Luan Nang Non cave complex. Their families were being kept at a distance because of fears of infection and the boys were initially only allowed to eat a rice-based porridge, authorities said. Officials lavished praise on the Thai and international divers who, in pairs of two, executed the dangerous rescue mission, guiding the boys, who could barely swim and had no diving experience, through a treacherous 2.5-mile escape route that twisted and turned through the cavern. But the chances of monsoon rains sending torrents of water into the cave and making the rescue effort too risky is never far from the minds of everyone involved in the operation. Thai cave rescue: How it's being done Alluding to that worry, the regional army commander offered his thanks Monday to the rain god Phra Pirun, imploring him to "keep showing us mercy". "Give us three more days and the Boars will come out to see the world, every one of them," Maj-Gen. Bancha Duriyapan told a news conference punctuated by applause from the dozens of Thai and foreign journalists and others in attendance. The plight of the boys, aged 11-16, and their coach, has riveted Thailand and much of the world - from the heart-sinking news they were trapped to the first flickering video of the huddle of anxious yet smiling boys brought back by the pair of British divers who found them after penetrating deep into the sprawling cave. 6:21AM Coach is among those still in cave Worth pointing out that the governor's words confirm that the coach is still among those waiting to be rescued. Had been earlier speculation that he as among first to be rescued because he was in a weak state after giving his share of their rations to the boys. But Narongsak Osottanakorn made clear we are expected to see four "boars" and one coach emerge from the cave, along with three navy seals and one army doctor who had stayed with them overnight. 6:05AM Mission to rescue remaining boys and coach is now under way Narongsak Osottanakorn, the governor of Chiang Rai province and the head of the joint command centre coordinating the mission, expects all five remaining survivors in the Tham Luang cave to be freed today. His announcement was greeted with cheers. He confirmed that the third rescue mission since Sunday began earlier, at 10:08am, thanks to the experience they had gained from earlier operations. The first mission on Sunday took 11 hours and the second, on Monday , took 9 hours. Mr Osottanakorn said he expected the extraction times to be "equal to or better than yesterday if we don't have any abnormal factors." He added: "I expect they will come out today, all of them," which would include three staff and a doctor currently staying in the chamber with the last group of five. However, the governor added that overall Tuesday's mission could take longer as more people need to be extracted. Unnecessary personnel have been cleared from the cave site today to speed up operations. Meanwhile, water irrigation experts working furiously to divert floodwaters from the cave have reported that conditions are "under control" despite heavy rainfall overnight. 5:55AM Governor says he expects last five to be freed today Rescue chiefs have just called a snap media conference. Standby for details soon #ThamLuangCave#ThaiCaveRescue#TenNews@tendailyaupic.twitter.com/n0v6MFm2NQ— Daniel Sutton (@danielsutton10) July 10, 2018 Chiang Rai governor says he expects all five to be freed today. 19 divers went in at 10:08. "Today we might have to wait longer but it will be worth the wait." 5:53AM Watching and waiting An ambulance leaves the Tham Luang cave area as rescue operations continue for those still trapped inside the cave in Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park Credit: Ye Aung Thu/AFP 5:36AM A final push in the pouring rain? Is this the final push in the #thaicaverescue ? @AFP 's sources tell us the rescuers are confident of success and that all the remaining five will be brought out today. The weather isn't great - continuous rain - but this won't hamper the rescue, we're told.— Richard Sargent (@rsargent79) July 10, 2018 5:34AM 'I didn't know if it was a casualty or a kid' Ivan Karadzic, a Danish diving instructor, has been describing the rescue operation Credit: Reuters Ivan Karadzic, a Danish diver helping with the international rescue team, described the drama of the rescue to the BBC. "They are forced to do something that no kid has ever done before. It's not in any way normal for kids to go cave diving aged 11. They are diving in something considered [an] extremely hazardous environment in zero visibility. The only light that is in there is the torch light we bring ourself," he said. Mr Karadzic said their big fear was any kind of panic. "I cannot understand how cool these small kids are," he added. "Thinking about how they have been kept in a small cave for two weeks. They haven't seen their mums, incredibly strong kids. Unbelievable almost." Mr Karadzic spoke of his own trepidation about being involved in the dangerous mission, and of the first time he saw a child coming towards him underwater. "I was very scared, because when I saw the diver and the kid in the horizon, we can't see that far but maybe about 50m, I still didn't know if it was a casualty or a kid," he said. "But when I saw that he was alive and breathing and seemed to be alright, it felt very good." 5:29AM Inspirational images Day 3 ������ 5 to go: "Be strong, it's your turn now!"#ThaiCaveRescue#พาทีมหมูป่ากลับบ้านpic.twitter.com/BHUOnGhhMd— Hicham Bouab (@hichambouab) July 10, 2018 The plight of the boys, and the heroic efforts of their rescuers, has served as inspiration for Thai artists. Lovers of illustration at the best of times, the result has been an outpouring of extraordinary images, which are being shared online with the hashtag #พาทีมหมูป่ากลับบ้าน #ถ้ำ - "Bring the Wild Boars Home". เจ๋ง ������������ copyright by Hattrick Magazine & Kingnowhere #พาทีมหมูป่ากลับบ้านpic.twitter.com/A1pVoDAr46— bp ♡ (@b_baipaan) July 10, 2018 4:52AM Boys are 'in good mental health' Jesada Chokedamrongsuk, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Public Health speaks during a news conference at the Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospital Credit: Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters More from the briefing: The first group have now seen their parents through a glass window, and the other four should be able to see their parents today in the same way. They do not have fever and appear to be in good mental health after their ordeal. The boys' families were also buoyed by a visit from the Prayuth Chan-ocha, the Thai prime minister, who visited the hospital yesterday, and were seen chatting and laughing with them. The children had their eyes shielded by protective sunglasses as they emerged from the cave. Their eyesight is currently being tested, but the first group has been able to take the glasses off. If the last group of five survivors is freed today they will be treated separately from the others, but will receive the same tests, first being evaluated for hypothermia, and then being subjected to a round of blood tests, X-rays and heart checks. 4:41AM Soft food - and not too spicy - for now The boys have been desperate to eat normal food after surviving inside the cave on energy gels and medical food, said Dr Chokedmanrongsuk. The first group will be able to eat soft boiled rice today, he told reporters at Chiang Rai hospital. "Today they can eat normal food but not too spicy," he added. He said the boys will be kept in isolation for the next week, to protect them from infection and while they undergo a thorough medical evaluation. "We have never experienced a situation like this before," he said. 4:28AM Parents have seen boys - but only through glass Parents of 1st 4 boys to be evacuated from #Thamluangcave have now been allowed to see them, through glass. Health of all 8 fine, after low body temp, pulse in some - now normal. Eating unspicy food, sitting up, alert - Perm. Sec Health Ministry— Jonathan Head (@pakhead) July 10, 2018 Health officials remain cautious as they test boys for illness - including what has been called "cave disease", caused by the fungus Histoplasmosis, found in the droppings of birds and bats. 4:25AM Health briefing under way Dr Jesada Chokedamrongsuk, a senior health official, says the first 4 boys rescued are aged 14 to 16 and two of them possibly have a lung infection. The second group was aged 12 to 14. All eight boys are still in quarantine. They are being tested for hypothermia, with blood tests, lung X-rays, heart rate. First group of boys was aged 14-16. Second group 12-14. 4:22AM Steady rain 10am in Mae Sai and the rain is pouring. It's unclear yet whether this will adversely affect water levels at the #thamlaungcave rescue as divers head in for the third day in a row pic.twitter.com/ye9RkSBYbN— Nicola Smith (@niccijsmith) July 10, 2018 3:58AM Ambulances and military vehicles at cave entrance Three ambulances along with cars, hummers and soldiers have been seen entering the cave site where rescuers have been carrying out a high-stakes operation to bring out trapped members of a youth soccer team. Heavy rains lashed the northern Thai region late on Monday and a steady downpour has continued Tuesday. After divers brought out four of the boys Monday evening, authorities indicated the rescue operation would continue for a third day. But they also warned heavy rain could hamper their efforts. 3:43AM Can the divers rescue all five today? The question today is whether the rescuers can bring out all five people trapped inside the cave in one go. Until now, officials have said they want to do it four at a time. Speaking on Monday night Narongsak Osottanakorn, who heads the mission, said: "For safety, the best number is four." That has led to speculation that they could opt to bring out what we believe to be the four remaining boys leaving their 25-year-old coach, Ekaphol Chantawong, to spend one more night perched on a ledge above the water. 3:36AM 'Divers resume rescue' Reporters at the scene say a number of foreign divers have been spotted going back into the cave network. From the entrance it's about a five-hour slog to reach the location where the boys and their coach are perched on a ledge. Then they have to come all the way back. So it may not be until late in the day that we know more. Here's a reminder of how they are doing it all... Thai cave rescue: How it's being done 3:30AM There's a lot of respect around for the divers As hero divers once again enter the cave to rescue remaining 4 boys and coach they told reporters that the tight walls of the tunnel are "sharp as razors" & the water is so murky they cannot see beyond their hand - "this is the most difficult dive of my life" #ThaiCaveRescue— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 10, 2018 These divers in Thailand.... man. Just heroic people. Every detail of what they do makes me so scared and so grateful that there are people who can do this.— suzanne moore (@suzanne_moore) July 9, 2018 3:16AM Thai Seals prepare for day three of the evacuation Thai Navy Seals in good spirits at their guest house close to the cave complex Credit: Nicola Smith With a traditional shout of "Hooyah!" Thai Navy Seals set off from their guesthouse in the northern Thai town of Mae Sai on Tuesday morning for a third rescue mission to bring out the remaining five survivors trapped in the Tham Luang caves. "We're strong!" said the 15-strong group after a rousing pep talk from their commander about the dangerous mission ahead. The men were in good spirits as they posed for photos and crossed their forearms in the Seals' trademark symbol. Gathering their hard hats and backpacks they headed out for the short drive to the caves where their role is to back up the first diving team which is expected to enter about 10:30am. Prolonged rainfall overnight has increased anxiety about Tuesday's mission, despite a successful and speedy extraction of eight boys since operations began on Sunday. Tuesday morning has begun with overcast skies after rain began shortly after midnight, and divers will not know if water levels have risen inside the cave until the enter. Two Thai military doctors have stayed in the chamber about 2.5 miles inside the cave network, where the remaining survivors are sheltering. 1:42AM Elon Musk delivers mini-sub Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids' soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful. pic.twitter.com/EHNh8ydaTT— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 9, 2018 Elon Musk says he has arrived in Thailand with his mini-sub. He says he made it all the way inside to cave 3, where emergency workers have set up their rescue hub, and has left his underwater craft in case it is any use. It may well be too big to make it through the 40cm or so gap we are told the rescuers and boys have to wriggle through.
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