All Thailand Cave Boys Rescued


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – All 12 youth football players and their coach have been rescued from a flooded cave in northern Thailand, after an international rescue operation began three days ago.

The final four school boys and their coach, who had been trapped in the Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai for 18 days, were carried out on stretchers to waiting ambulances on Tuesday afternoon, Daily Mail reported.

Among those extracted today is the youngest member of the team, 11-year-old Chanin Wiboonrungruang, whose nickname is Titan, and coach Ekaphol Chantawong, 25.

The governor of the rescue mission had previously said Tuesday's operation would be more difficult than the previous two days, due to the increased number of people who need to be extracted.

Following the evacuees will be four Thai Navy SEALs - including a medic - who had been staying with the group since they were discovered huddled together on a muddy ledge 2,620ft (800 metres) underground on July 2.

The Thai Navy SEALs confirmed the success of the operation on their official Facebook page, writing: '12 wild boars and coach out of the cave. Everyone is safe. Now just waiting to pick up four frogs [Navy SEALs]. Hooyah.'