INTENSIVE efforts to rescue 12 boys and their football coach who have been trapped inside a flooded cave in northern Thailand for three days have been seriously hampered by rainfall.
Interior minister Anupong Paojinda said specialists leading the search for the missing in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex are having to pump out muddy water which has filled some chambers to the ceiling to allow navy divers room to operate.
About a dozen navy divers and other rescuers re-entered the partly flooded cave yesterday morning to search for the boys, aged 11-16, who have been missing since their coach took them to Tham Luang Nang Non on Saturday after a practice match.
The youngsters and their 25-year-old coach entered the cave later that afternoon and the alarm was raised by a mother who reported that her son did not return from training.
Divers have been seeking a way forward through the chambers of the cave complex, but have been forced to suspend their search several times after rain that fell overnight increased the difficulty of exploring the inside of the cave.
Anupong said progress could be made only when enough water has been removed, so there is breathing space between the water and the ceiling.
The divers will also soon start using special oxygen tanks that provide longer diving times at the scene in Chiang Rai province.
Anupong said the goal was to be able to “reach the kids”, with rescuers working night and day.
“I want to confirm to the media that the SEAL team will be working non-stop because it’s already dark here too,” he said.
“So night and day doesn’t make a big difference. They’ll just need to rotate.”
The authorities have also been seeking alternative ways in, using helicopters and search parties on the ground to find holes that might exist in the ceilings of other parts of the cave.
The initial chambers near the cave’s entrance are dry, and a power line was extended inside to provide light and ventilation, which is helping the divers communicate with those outside.
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