• An 18-day ordeal in Thailand that captured the world’s attention is over: All 12 boys and their soccer coach have been rescued from the flooded cave where they were trapped.

The rescuers who had stayed with them for eight days underground — four Thai divers, a Thai Army doctor and three Thai Navy SEALs — also emerged. Here’s how they pulled off the daring, treacherous operation.

A Times reporter who once served as a U.S. Navy diver explained the grave difficulties that had to be surmounted. Above, Thai rescue teams in the Tham Luang cave.

The team members are in good condition. But before their misadventure, several of them knew hardship as refugees from Myanmar. One multilingual boy played a critical role in the rescue.