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Thailand cave rescue: Official says boys may be taken out in stages
Updated On: 05 July, 2018 08:33 AM IST | Mae Sai | AP
The 12 boys and their coach were mostly in stable condition and have received high-protein drinks

A Thai official overseeing the rescue operation of a soccer team trapped in a flooded cave said the 12 boys and their coach may not all be extracted at the same time depending on their health. Chiang Rai provincial Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn said Wednesday that "all 13 may not come out at the same time. If the condition is right and if that person is ready 100 per cent, he can come out." He said authorities will evaluate their readiness each day and if there is any risk will not proceed. The teammates and their coach were seen in the latest video sitting with Thai navy SEALs in the dark cave, their skinny faces illuminated by a flashlight.
The boys, many wrapped in foil warming blankets, take turns introducing themselves, pressing their hands together in a traditional Thai greeting and saying their names and that they are healthy. Narongsak said that the boys have been practising wearing diving masks and breathing, but he doesn't believe they have attempted any practice dives. The boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach disappeared after they went exploring in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in northern Chiang Rai province after a soccer game June 23. The teammates, who were trapped inside when heavy rains flooded the cave, were found by rescue divers Monday night during a desperate search that drew assistance from experts around the globe. Authorities said the boys, who had also been shown Tuesday in a video shot by the British diver who discovered them, were being looked after by seven members of the Thai navy SEALs, including medics, who were staying with them inside the cave.
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