A diver helping to rescue a group of boys who have been trapped in a cave in Thailand says the kids entered the complex as part of an “initiation.”

The group of 12 boys entered the Tham Luang cave complex in Chiang Rai province on June 23 with their 25-year-old soccer coach, just after practice had ended. They became trapped after heavy rains flooded key passages.

A Dutch diver who was reportedly part of the group of rescue workers who found the boys told Sky News they were partaking in some sort of ritual.

The boys had left their backpacks and shoes outside the complex “before wading in and trying to go to the end of the tunnel,” Ben Reymenants said. “Sort of like an initiation for local young boys to… write your name on the wall and make it back.”

“Now a flash flood because of sudden heavy rain lock them in,” the diver said, adding the young boys were strong but were weak in the caves from a lack of food. – READ MORE