The 12 boys and their soccer coach trapped in a cave in northern Thailand have been freed after a meticulously planned rescue effort.

The third rescue attempt is believed to have begun at 10.08am local time on Monday. Four more boys and their coach emerged from the cave over three hours from 4.30pm local time (7.30pm AEST).

It was 17 days since the soccer team became trapped in the Tham Luang cave network when it flooded on June 23.

Here’s what we know about the rescue.