Reasons why rescued members have not met their relatives
(Baonghean.vn) - On July 9, the person in charge of the rescue operation for the "Wild Boars" youth soccer team trapped in Tham Luang cave, Chiang Rai province, in Northern Thailand since June 23, Mr. Narongsak Osottanakorn, said that the four soccer team members who were brought out of the cave are in good health, but their names have not been announced.
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| The rescue operation has resumed. Photo: AP |
The reason is to "respect the families whose children are still trapped inside the cave", and it is not possible to let the children meet their families "due to concerns about the risk of infection".
Previously, the Bangkok Post reported that among the four members of the team who were brought out of the cave was the coach, Ekapol Chanthawong, 25 years old. People speculated that he was brought out of the cave early because of his physical exhaustion, as he had given up his food and water to the boys during the first days trapped in the cave. However, Thai authorities have not confirmed this information.
According to Mr. Narongsak Osottanakorn, at noon on July 9, the international rescue team resumed the rescue operation for the remaining 9 members of the team. He said: "We are using more people than yesterday, all equipment is ready, oxygen tanks are ready...", and expressed hope that "there will be good news in the next few hours".
Since this morning, rescue vehicles have been deployed to the Tham Luang cave entrance with many spare oxygen tanks. The operation has resumed in unfavorable weather conditions as the sky is quite overcast, with rain forecast. Rain is one of the main risks of the rescue operation, as it can flood the cave area, making it difficult for the rescue plans that have been outlined.
It is expected that on the afternoon of July 9, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will be in Chiang Rai and may visit the hospital to visit and encourage the rescued soccer team members.
