The third operation to rescue the Thai soccer team begins, trying to save the remaining 5 members

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha thanks international experts for their assistance in searching for the missing youth soccer team. Photo: pa/THX

So far, eight boys have been brought out of the cave in the first two days of the rescue operation, but five other members are still trapped in an area about 4 km from the cave entrance.

Rescuers have been moving quickly to take advantage of the good weather, but heavy rains early on Monday morning could hamper their efforts.

Former Chiang Rai Governor and rescue operation commander Narongsak Osotthanakorn confirmed on July 9 that it would take about 20 hours to prepare for the third rescue operation, but he noted that the time could change depending on the weather and water levels.

Rescue workers and divers are using the break to recover and prepare for the next phase of the operation.

Summary of the Thai cave rescue operation:

23/6: 12 members of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach were trapped in a cave due to heavy rains.

2/7: British divers found the boys, aged 11-16, and their coach on a rocky outcrop in the cave about 4km from the entrance.

6/7: A former member of the Royal Thai Navy died from lack of oxygen while bringing an oxygen tank into the cave.

8/7: The first group of four boys were rescued and taken to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital.

9/7: Four other boys were rescued and taken to hospital for treatment.

Over the past few days, two divers have been assigned to accompany a boy underwater, helping him navigate the dark, muddy waters of the flooded cave. Each mission has lasted at least nine hours.

The most dangerous part of the rescue was the first kilometer, where they had to navigate a narrow, flooded passage. Rescuers had to hold the boys’ oxygen tanks to their chests and swim through long, narrow holes. Once this was done, the boys were then handed over to specialist rescuers who would help them for the rest of the way.

The eight boys who escaped from the cave are currently being treated in an isolation ward at Chiang Rai Hospital. Doctors are monitoring them for any possible illnesses they may have contracted while trapped in the cave, and are working to help them recover after more than two weeks trapped underground.

Mr Osotthanakorn said the rescued boys were in good health and those rescued on July 9 were in a more stable condition than those freed on July 8.