FOUR of the twelve boys trapped deep in a cave in Thailand were brought to safety yesterday in a race against time as divers fought to free them before monsoon rains fill the cave system.

Early yesterday, the Thai authorities had decided that with water levels inside the Tham Luang cave system at their lowest for a week, and with the risk of flooding increasing by the day, it was time to give the green light to the long and arduous process of extracting the boys and their adult coach who have been trapped for a fortnight.

The boys, aged between 11 and 17, belong to a football club called the Wild Boars. They went with their coach, 25-year-old Ekapol Chanthawong, on a training-related descent into the cave, but became trapped by rising flood waters.

They were found 2.5 miles inside the cave by British rescue divers on Monday, and it was thought at first they might have to spend months inside the cave until flood waters receded.

An indication of the dangers came earlier this week when a former Thai Navy diver died.

Saman Gunan was returning from a mission to provide the group with air tanks when he lost consciousness and could not be revived.

His colleagues said they would “not let the sacrifice of our friend go to waste”.

In the first rescue operations, divers guided the boys – said to be the four youngest – through darkness and submerged passageways towards the mouth of the cave system. Having been strapped to the divers underwater, they were reportedly able to make the last part on foot or on stretchers.

All four were rushed by ambulance or helicopter to hospital in the main local city Chiang Rai and were reported to be in good health.

It had been though the rescue could take up to a week, but the first phase has been conducted much faster than officials had predicted and the authorities hope to conclude the operation within four days.

The mission has to be paused for at least 10 hours as air tanks need to be replaced or replenished.

The tanks have been placed at intervals along the route which is taking four hours to traverse.

Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said the next phase would begin on this morning, after “all of the air tanks and all systems along the way”are restored. The Governor added that the boys and their families had all given their agreement that they should be moved as soon as possible.

He told reporters: “We will be able to continue the rescue operation when we are ready to do so.”

No newsworthy incident would be possible without the observations of President Donald Trump who annoyed some people by Tweeting after the successful first rescues.

He wrote: “The US is working very closely with the Government of Thailand to help get all of the children out of the cave and to safety. Very brave and talented people!”

This prompted a backlash. One person replied: “When the President cares more about a team of Thai kids instead of the children on his own soil.”

Another added: “Once you’re done with that, get those kids out of cages out in Texas as well!”

Another asked: “Are you seriously trying trying to take credit?”

It is not known how many Americans are with the 50-strong party of foreign divers on the scene, who joined 40 Thai divers in what has so far proven to be a successful international rescue.