CHIANG RAI: Thai authorities wrapped up the first leg of their operation to rescue 12 boys and their football coach from the flooded Tham Luang cave complex, declaring their mission "more successful than (they had) hoped for."



The rescue operation chief declared Sunday (Jul 8) "D-day", saying the boys' condition and other considerations such as water levels and the weather meant they were prepared for extraction.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

Four boys have made the hazardous journey out, and are receiving medical treatment.

The operation is currently on hold as all the oxygen tanks in the cave have been used up and need replacing.

Eight more boys and their coach are still in the cave complex.

The boys were each accompanied by two divers as they made their way through pitch darkness, diving through narrow passageways swirling with cold, strong currents.

The operation is due to resume on Monday.

10:46PM: It's raining - pouring, in fact, at Tham Luang cave complex now, and rescuers will be hoping that the overnight downpour will not hamper the evacuation of the remaining nine.

Rain at Tham Luang cave complex, shortly after the first four boys were brought to safety. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo)

It's now pouring at #ThamLuang cave complex. Authorities said weather, water levels inside caves could affect evacuation https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj pic.twitter.com/saBXipGPHB — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

10:22PM: The Thai Navy SEALs posted on Facebook: "Tonight, we can all sleep well. Good night!"

The Facebook page of the Navy SEALs suggests that the #thamlaungcave rescue operations have ended for today: “Tonight, we can all sleep well. Good night!” pic.twitter.com/ycz4rVWxCj — Saksith Saiyasombut (@SaksithCNA) July 8, 2018

10:18PM: RECAP: The first boy evacuated the cave at 5.40pm (local time) followed by the second boy 10 minutes later.

The third boy exited the cave at 7.40pm, and the fourth boy at 7.50pm.

No word though, on which boys have been rescued.

10:09PM: The boys were wearing full-faced masks while hanging on to the bodies of rescue divers: Mission chief Narongsak.

10:08PM: The rescue operation held today was very smooth, says the rescue mission chief at the press conference. Boys were selected to come out of the cave based on their health assessment.

#ThamLuangRescue has been very smooth today. 4 of 13 came out. 9 remain inside cave complex. It took just over 2 mins for rescue cars to deliver them to helicopters. Boys were selected to come out based on their health assessment: Mission chief Narongsak https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj pic.twitter.com/AHrFSG6YCg — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

9:58PM: JUST IN: Rescue workers will need "about 10 hours" to prepare for the next operation, says the rescue mission chief.

Media surrounding Narongsak after he finished speaking at the press conference.

9:56PM: The first boy exited Tham Luang cave at 5.40pm (local time), says the rescue mission chief. A total of 90 divers - 50 foreign and 40 Thai locals - were involved in the operation to remove the boys from the cave.

9:55PM: Rescue operations have to stop for now because all the oxygen tanks along the evacuation route have been used up, says the rescue mission chief.

Nine people still remain trapped in the cave.

#ThamLuangRescue has been very smooth today. 4 of 13 came out. 9 remain inside cave complex. It took just over 2 mins for rescue cars to deliver them to helicopters. Boys were selected to come out based on their health assessment: Mission chief Narongsak https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj pic.twitter.com/AHrFSG6YCg — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

9:42PM: Our mission is more successful than we've hoped for, says the mission chief.

Narongsak on #ThamLuangRescue: Our mission is more successful than we've hoped for. At 5.40pm (TH), the first boy came out. At about 5.50pm, the second came out. 3rd biy came out at 7.40pm and 4th at 7.50pm https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj pic.twitter.com/VYcgmBYAF6 — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

9:52PM: "After 16 days of waiting, we get to see the faces of the 'Wild Boars'", says Tham Luang rescue mission chief at a press conference. He confirms that four boys are now in hospital in Chiang Rai's city centre.

9:40PM: Channel NewsAsia's Saksith Saiyasombut gives a recap of what has happened since the divers began the rescue operation at 10am (local time):

9:32PM: The rescue operation center will be holding a press conference in half an hour, at 9pm (local time).

UPDATE: The Rescue Operation Center will hold a presser in the ongoing extraction out of the #thamlaungcave at 9pm local time. — Saksith Saiyasombut (@SaksithCNA) July 8, 2018

9:29PM: A helicopter is seen landing at a military airport in Chiang Rai with its passengers taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.

A helicopter landing at a military airport in Chiang Rai. (Photo: AFP/Thai News Pix/Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn)

9:23PM: Earlier, rescue workers were seen moving air tanks at the Tham Luang cave area.

Rescue workers move air tanks at the Tham Luang cave area as operations continue for the 12 boys and their coach trapped at the cave. (Photo: AFP/Lillian Sunwarumpha)

9:13PM: An ambulance leaves Chiang Rai's military airport after transporting passengers from a helicopter.

An ambulance with escorts is seen leaving the military airport in Chiang Rai to a nearby hospital after taking passengers from a helicopter as divers evacuated some of the 12 boys and their coach trapped at Tham Luang cave. (Photo: AFP/Lillian Suwanrumpha)

9:04PM: An ambulance is seen driving towards Chiang Rai's city centre.

An ambulance drives past Phong Pa sub-district administration opposite #ThamLuang cave complex, heading towards Chiang Rai's coty centre. At least 4 boys from Wild Boar Academy team have been brought out safely https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj pic.twitter.com/OjundBOtue — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

8:50PM: JUST IN: A total of six boys have exited Tham Luang cave, says a senior member of the rescue medical team.

An ambulance leaves the Tham Luang cave area after divers evacuated some of the 12 boys and their coach trapped at the cave. (Photo: AFP/LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA)

8:48PM: BREAKING: Three boys have been evacuated from the Tham Luang cave complex, confirms the Thai Navy.

JUST IN: 3 boys evacuated from #ThamLuang cave complex - Thai Navy SEAL https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

8:42PM: "Two are out of the cave. Two more are likely to follow shortly," Lieutenant-General Kongcheep Tantrawanit said.

8:23PM: Four boys have reached the rescue base camp set up inside the cave complex and are expected to walk out soon, AFP reports, citing Thailand's defence ministry spokesperson.

8:14PM: A helicopter is seen flying from Tham Luang cave complex area towards Chiang Rai's city centre.

8:10PM: An ambulance, believed to be transporting one of the first kids, leaves the Tham Luang cave area.

#BREAKING: An ambulance just drove by, we believe it has one of the first kids out of the #thamlaungcave. pic.twitter.com/kEhePnbZKp — Saksith Saiyasombut (@SaksithCNA) July 8, 2018

8:01PM: "Two kids are out. They are currently at the field hospital near the cave," confirmed Tossathep Boonthong, chief of Chiang Rai's health department and part of the rescue team.

"We are giving them a physical examination. They have not been moved to Chiang Rai hospital yet," Tossathep told Reuters.

JUST IN: Two boys have reportedly been brought out of #ThamLuang cave complex and are now being treated at field hospital. They'll be transported to another hospital in Chiang Rai's city centre. Follow our live blog https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj pic.twitter.com/7B8IBAKe3V — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

7:49PM: BREAKING: First two members of Thai football team recovered from cave, says local official.

Members of the Wild Boars football team who have been trapped in the Tham Luang cave since Jun 23, 2018. (Photo: Ekkaphol Chantawong)

7:26PM: An update on the boys' arrival is expected after 9pm (local time), according to our correspondent on the ground.

#ThamLuang: A few helicopters on standby for members of Moo Pa (Wild Boar) Academy team. Evacuation under way with 18 divers from Thailand, abroad and many more rescuers. Update on the boys' arrival expected after 9pm (TH). Follow our live blog here 🐗 https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj pic.twitter.com/34roORAv8E — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

7:19PM: "Thank you for looking after our children. Coach, you’ve gone in there with them. Come out with them too and do it safely.” Parents of the boys wrote to football coach Ake yesterday, telling him not to "blame yourself".

Notes written by parents of Adul, one of the 12 schoolboys in trapped inside the Tham Luang cave complex, as well as a message from a mental support team. (Photo: PR Chiang Rai)

7.00PM: These were some of the options that rescuers mulled over to extract the 12 boys and their coach.

Thailand cave rescue options. (Graphic: Rafa Estrada)

6.57PM: Helicopters standing by to lift the boys to the nearest hospital, which is almost 100km away.

These are just some of the helicopters standing by to fly out the 13 “Wild Boars” youth football team to the next hospital if necessary, as divers are beginning their extraction out of the #ThamLaung since earlier this morning. pic.twitter.com/QuPN3HhjIr — Saksith Saiyasombut (@SaksithCNA) July 8, 2018

6.47PM: The trapped boys will be divided into four groups, according to the Bangkok Post.

Four boys are in the first group, with the rest split into groups of three. The coach will be in the last group.

Boys from the under-16 soccer team trapped inside Tham Luang cave receive treatment from a medic in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in this still image taken from a July 3, 2018 video by Thai Navy Seal. Thai Navy Seal/Handout via REUTERS TV

6.30PM: Divers are believed to have reached the trapped kids about an hour ago and they should be on their way out.

Clarification - Diving began at 10am (TH) with 10 foreign cave diving experts who headed to chamber where children are trapped. At 2pm, remaining 3 foreign divers began diving in to support evacuation: #ThamLuangRescue info centre. Follow our live blog https://t.co/Nz93mYEwJj — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

6.11PM: Thai authorities have begun the operation to evacuate the boys and their coach from the flooded Tham Luang cave complex, where they have been trapped for more than two weeks.

The group was found alive after a gruelling search by divers, who are now working to take them home.

Click here for a timeline of the efforts to find and free the group.

This undated handout photo taken recently and released by the Royal Thai Navy on Jul 7, 2018 shows Thai Navy soldiers in the flooded Tham Luang cave during rescue operations. (Photo: AFP via Royal Thai Navy)

6.06PM: Extraction is under way.

This is what the Thai Navy SEALs have posted on their Facebook page about two hours ago: "We, the Thai team and the international team will bring the Wild Boars home." That’s the team name of the young footballers in the #ThamLuang cave as the extraction is under way. pic.twitter.com/vlT2CDarmw — Saksith Saiyasombut (@SaksithCNA) July 8, 2018

6.05PM: A look at where the boys and their football coach are trapped - and some of the narrow spaces that they will have to make their way through to get out.

The route to where the Thai boys and their football coach are trapped in the cave. (Graphic: Rafa Estrada)

1.39PM: A reminder of the staggering scale of the operation: Thousands have been mobilised - the Thai navy, military, diving and cave and mining experts from all over the world, volunteers from every corner of Thailand.

The biggest threat to the rescue operation has been thunderstorms forecast that could raise the water levels inside the cave. Millions of gallons of water have been pumped out to make the dive in Tham Luang less treacherous. Already, one diver has lost his life after delivering oxygen supply to the trapped boys.

Water levels inside #ThamLuang caves dropped by more than 30cm Thursday. Rescuers can now walk/crawl through first 3 chambers. Situation "most suitable" for evacuation https://t.co/BQr8MgANjG pic.twitter.com/5Ic1CSF1rO — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

1.22PM: The 12 boys - aged between 11 and 16 - and their 25-year-old football coach were discovered about 4km inside the cave late Jul 2 by British cave divers but they have had to stay put due to the cave being flooded.

Here's a recap on the challenges rescuers face:

One of the crevices that divers have to go through to reach the boys is just 72cm by 38cm wide and there is almost zero visibility in the muddy water.

WATCH our explainer on conditions inside the cave:

1.18PM: The operation to evacuate the 13 people trapped in the Tham Luang cave complex for 16 days and counting started this morning, the rescue mission chief Narongsak Osottanakorn announced just past 10.30am local time.

Five Thai Navy SEALs and 13 foreign divers entered the cave at 10am.

A looming thunderstorm may have forced their hand, but Narongsak says the 13 survivors are "more than ready, physically and mentally". ﻿

Each child to be escorted by 2 divers. Expected arrival 9pm (TH) earliest. They'll continue to come out one by one. Next update will come after 9pm,m. Evacuation could continue to tmr. Children said they're ready to go home. This is the best time to do it. Support us: Narongsak — Pichayada P. (@PichayadaCNA) July 8, 2018

READ MORE | Full coverage of the search and rescue operation:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/topic/Thailand-cave-rescue

