Chiang Rai, Thailand (CNN) Rescuers from China and Australia have joined the search for a youth soccer team missing in a Thai cave, as divers believe they're closing in on the spot where the group could be sheltering.

The international rescue operation -- which includes more than 1,000 people from Thai emergency services, alongside a US military contingent and British cave experts -- has been ramping up its efforts since the 12 boys and their 25-year-old soccer coach disappeared during an outing in the caves in northern Thailand on June 23.

Divers are now closing in on elevated dry area, called Pattaya Beach, where they believe the missing boys may have taken refuge in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system.

The dry area is several kilometers from the entrance of the cave.

The missing boys, with their coach, are seen here in a photo taken from the coach's Facebook page.

Water from the flooded cave has receded in recent days, allowing rescue teams to gain ground, according to Chiang Rai provincial governor Narongsak Osatanakorn.

Rescue workers carry water pumping equipment into Tham Luang Nang Non cave on Sunday.

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