MAE SAI (THAILAND) The last four boys and their coach were freed from a cave in northern Thailand on Tuesday, the third day of a harrowing and heroic rescue operation that brought the young Wild Boars footballers out of a winding, flooded cavern where they were trapped for more than two weeks.
“Twelve wild boars and coach are out of the cave. Everyone safe,” the Thai navy SEALs, who led the rescue effort, posted on Facebook. “Hooyah.”
Calling the rescue effort 17 days that will be remembered forever, acting Chiang Rai Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn announced that all members of the team, as well as three SEALs and a medic who were staying with them, had safely left the cave and were healthy.
We did what no one ever thought we could do, he said. This was a mission impossible that we have accomplished.”
Narongsak credited the teamwork of all the local and international rescue personnel, volunteers and agencies that took part in the massive operation and said there was a lesson to be learned for Thailand and the world.
I believe we have a special power: love, he said. We love each other. We sent love into the cave. This is the lesson I want Thailand to remember, this is the lesson I want the world to see.
More: Out of the cave, onto the big screen: Hollywood may tackle Thai rescue
More: Thai cave rescue operation saves boys, coach: What comes next
The first four boys were removed from the cave Sunday. Four more were extracted Monday. All the rescued boys and their coach were taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Chiang Rai.
Jubilation swept through the area as news of the final evacuations spread. Roaring cheers greeted the helicopters flying overhead carrying the kids and their coach to a hospital 35 miles away.
I feel like it happened so fast, said Suparat Chaiwong, a 22-year-old nursing student who was delivering donated food and supplies to rescue workers. We were so scared and worried. Now Im just very happy for the kids and their families and everyone involved in the rescue.
Others said they appreciated how the rescue effort brought so many people together to help, both locally and from all over the globe.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
