All 12 boys and their coach rescued from cave in Thailand

By Sandra Rose  | 

Thailand soccer team

Updated July 10, 2018 @ 9:24 a.m.

All 12 members of a Thailand soccer team and their coach have been rescued from the flooded Tham Luang cave in Khun Nam Nang National Park in northern Thailand.

Expert divers pulled the last 4 boys and their 25-year-old coach out of the cave late Monday (Tuesday East Coast time). The rescue operation took more than 2 weeks and involved over 100 cave divers, electricians and engineers.

Nineteen divers accompanied the last group out of the cave after they were trapped by rising water on June 23.

The team and their coach will be quarantined for a week due to high risk for infection. When they are released from a hospital, they will be banned from the Internet and social media to protect them psychologically.

The 12 soccer team members, ages 11 to 16, and their coach were trapped after they explored the cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand, as part of an initiation ritual after soccer practice. The boys ran about 2 miles into the cave and scrawled their names on a wall.

But torrential rain from a monsoon quickly flooded the entrance to the cave, blocking their escape and forcing them deeper into the cave in search of higher ground.

The boys' bicycles were spotted by a park employee after the park closed for the evening on June 23. The employee alerted the authorities who launched a massive search for the missing group.

At least one of the boys was able to communicate with the rescuers in English and translate for the other boys. Nearly 200 primary and secondary schools in Thailand offer students the opportunity to learn multiple languages.

 

 

 

 

  • hi-liter

    What a Blessing....Thank God.

  • ZRoJoTheLezBeyond

    They got rescued a lot sooner than they expected! Awesome, needed to read some good news.

  • SpiceGirl

    GREAT! Praying for the rest of them to be free as well....

  • Faux Gibbler

    I’m still mad at that damn coach.

  • Lady_Elle

    Thank you God!

  • Lady_Elle

    It was something that others have done historically.
    That makes me feel all knew about this.
    I too feel some kind of way after the kids lives being endangered.

  • jeniefrumdabloc™
  • Yardgirl

    God is good all the time!! I kept thinking of the parents and how I would feel if my one and only was down there.

  • Kemi

    Good news! And kudos to the rescue team and the doctor/ cave diver from Australia ( even though, his efforts are not mentioned here).

  • FukkFolks2018

    After one of the rescuers died I had started to lose hope. I was so upset. God be the glory. I didnt want this to play out that we had to literally see coverage of them dying. I cant imagine how their parents are holding up. Prayers to the rest still in there

  • Branch Davidian

    I am happy that these kids got rescued. I hope the other 4 get out OK. But are going to address the thousands, if not millions, of dollars spent (plus the death of one of the rescue divers) because the dumbfuck kids and their coach wanted to be cool? This area has been a no-go for years and i spite of this, the dumbasses went anyway and have now indirectly caused the death of said rescuer. Maybe if we held these assholes accountable for stupid stunts like this maybe it would prevent them...

  • Fuk.U.Fuk.Him.Fuk.Her.Fuk.Yal

    They should leave the coach there for a few more weeks.. smh idiot

  • BingBangBoom

    All the beautiful spots in Thailand and you decide to lead the boys down a three mile dark cave that doesn't look a tad bit interesting. I hope he didn't molest or have any intentions on sexual assaulting them babies. God bless them boys.

  • Lady_Elle

    I don't think that was the plan. They went deeper into the cave to escape the flooding.

  • cherrypie

    Wait....soooo we blaming the "dumbfuck" kids now???

  • cherrypie

    The boys are adorable. Thank you God for keeping them safe and bringing them home safely to their families.

  • FlyMiss

    OMG this is so scary! but Thankfully they can get the remaining 4 kids and their coach tomorrow!

  • FlyMiss

    I think the parents have forgiven him now
    He starved himself in order for them to have food to eat
    Damn.. i didnt even know he was only 25

  • guest

    THANK GOD! Prayers!

  • FlyMiss

    Its a national park I believe, so i think people do go in this cave often

  • FlyMiss

    but wasnt it a ritual?

  • xenaD

    My hearts skips beats everytime I hear or see this story!

  • Jordan’s Memory

    Aren't they a handsome bunch of young men. They will get the rest out safe and sound.

  • Lady_Elle

    It was. I guess there were never problems for years.

  • Dasright

    Right! I don't know how perfect Branch was as a child but let me tell you by God's grace I survived that phase. We did the absolute most while out exploring..including going down into drainage ditches, etc. I smh now but chile...

  • Renee26

    Praise God

  • the guest

    God is so good.

    Ranger discovered the bikes.

    They find safety and air on the only dry elevated part of the cave.

    There was room for everyone to sit dry.

    They had eachother.

    They were discovered.

    They CAN be rescued.

    God is so good.

  • the guest

    They really are just darling. And humble and polite. You just want every good for them.

  • the guest

    Amen.

  • the guest

    God no.

  • https://twitter.com/Chicagowise Chicagowise

    "God" would be even greater if their coach wasn't an idiot.

  • https://twitter.com/Chicagowise Chicagowise

    They should leave the coach there and let him rescue himself. Moron.

  • Alextra Ballard

    I know this is a lil premature,but I wonder will the Coach face any charges. This was str8 child endangerment. We shall see.

  • Waya Hedia

    Praise the Royal Navy.

  • hottlanta

    If this were black kids the authorities would turn him over the mamas and lock the door on that azz.

  • hottlanta

    Something about this doesn't sit right with me.

  • dontgetblocked

    A hero died trying to rescue these innocent children. Families cried and the world worried. That coach needs to be reprimanded. Maybe not prison but something. I'll wait to hear his side of the story but he should be the LAST one rescued if he's a real man.

  • Tiff J

    I don't think the coach necessarily did anything wrong. I believe exploring the caves is something that they had done in the past. It's not like he intentionally lead them into danger. Hopefully the coach was the one who was able to get the kids to that safe high place in the cave and kept them safe while awaiting rescue.

    Sad that the one diver lost his life, but glad that all the boys & coach it out without any further incidents.

  • Mama Dee’s Wig Maker

    Glad they were rescued

  • Robert lee Bennett OG

    Hope they can do the same for the blacks trapped in Chicago slums help them escape certain death

  • Doink_Ahanahue

    Glad everyone was rescued safely!

  • Sade_fan

    Praise God!

  • iWasteTime

    Good to see they are all out and good.
    Is it safe to say, 2018 is the last cave run and sign for the team ...

  • Stationarity

    I was thinking along the exact same lines as you. He probably did not know the cave flooded like that.

    The coach also did not eat the entire time before they were found because he did not want to take the kid's snacks and he was the last one out. IF he is a coach like the American coaches he probably sacrifices a lot for those kids. I am sure he feels bad and will probably try to make up for it without even being forced too.

  • jeniefrumdabloc™

    ???????

  • sunni_daze

    GOD IS GOOD

  • jeniefrumdabloc™

    That bytch is blocked folks need to watch their damn mouths !

  • http://www.nicolaloves.com/ NicolaLoves

    I was so anxious for them. I so happy they made it out.

  • Trace da Ace

    well I'm glad they made it out of there, bless them!!

  • Yoni7

    You can tell by the comments that some folks live each and EVERY day of their life in misery. EVERY SINGLE DAY! They are diseased from within, physically, and mad at the world. It has to become draining at some point.

  • morenYAHdelsur

    Now that they’re all out and prayerfully healthy, them parents should slap the dawg chit out of the coach! Then offer a hug for support ?

  • morenYAHdelsur

    Had my tummy in knots every time I saw an update. That’s some scary chit mayne.

  • morenYAHdelsur

    Gloraaay!

  • We Can Do This

    The coach should face charges for the lost life of the diver. That diver had a family.

  • Coy little wink

    Notice there is no picture of coach...he probably getting death threats

    I read the parents have forgiven him I hope he will be ok...imagine the guilt ?

    They are some cutie pies! So happy for them ?

  • We Can Do This

    You shouldn't have rituals with kids.

  • Quitedeliteful

    I'm glad they made it out alive and I'm glad the parents have forgiven the coach. I'm conflicted when it comes to punishing the coach. He's young and dumb and probably thought that it would be a really cool adventure to explore the cave. He didn't know it would rain and force them into the belly of the cave and the guilt he feels must be tremendous. Still, someone lost their life trying to rescue this group...

  • Kemi

    Great news!! Now, they can get better nourishment and comfort/rest. RIP to the diver who lost his life. You’re appreciated for your bravery & selflessness!

  • Quitedeliteful

    It's not like he intentionally lead them into danger
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    This is what has me conflicted. Had he known the cave was gonna fill up with water he would have never entered. I feel for him because he has to feel really guilty -- especially with the whole world focused on this.

  • Quitedeliteful

    LMBAOFFFFFF!!!!!!!!

  • Quitedeliteful

    LOLLOLLOLLOL!!!!!

  • Logan Roberts

    I'm glad their out. The parents forgive the coach because none of their kids died.

  • Music

    Kudos to all involved in helping to rescue them. Viewing the videos, and seeing the narrow tunnels, I don’t think I could’ve done it. Chest hurts just imagining squeezing through the small spaces. It took a lot of courage to go into a cave, not knowing if you’d make it out alive.

  • Simone

    Praise God! I am so happy to hear this.

  • tintin

    This is a phenomenal story

  • Ghost

    Glad everyone is out and safe! The rescue team was awesome...sorry they lost one along the way...

  • cherrypie
  • Indies beauty

    I like the media in this post... But this is such a feel good story!

  • TheThrowbackBeauty

    Mind blown. Earth, God and People amaze me every day.

  • Wreckognize Game

    Thank you Jesus. Much love to the attentive park employee and the rescuers. Prayers for boys, coach and their families.

  • http://www.nicolaloves.com/ NicolaLoves

    I thought it was just me. I literally woke up this morning at 3 am terrified they were going to leave coach alone overnight since they seemed to be pulling them out in groups of four.

  • Lady Elle

    That's wonderful news that everyone has been rescued safely. Now...stay y'all azz out the hole next time! ?

  • morenYAHdelsur

    Right! I’ve been on edge hoping they all made it.

    I’d slap that coach then give him a hug though LOL.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    They should have left the coach in the cave.

  • Lady_Elle

    Thank you God!
    So happy they were all brought out safely!
    Saddened for the loss of the one diver!
    Praying that they will have miraculous recoveries...

  • Lady_Elle

    Why?
    This was something done by previous teams.

  • Raquelle Dellaghetto

    They went in as boys and came out as men.

  • Vonn

    Thank you to the brave & skilled rescue team.

  • http://batman-news.com Roderick2011

    So?
    Someone should have had common sense that it was dangerous to enter a dead end cave

  • Lady_Elle

    Yes... Yes... Yes!!!

  • Lady_Elle

    The Boy Scouts go caving.
    They go into caves and some of the areas are very steep and tight - Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

    Lots of unexplored areas... and over 400 miles of explored areas.

    There have been people who died in the cave. That does not stop the number of people who come to explore anyway.

    ---------------------

    This rite of passage was something done by previous soccer teams... run in write your name on the wall and leave.

    The rains made the difference. I guess I would wonder if the other teams did it during the same time of year.

  • Dowoop

    He was one of the last ones. People make mistakes.... I mean your parents had you.

  • Fuk.U.Fuk.Him.Fuk.Her.Fuk.Yal

    Im so happy all is well but hope that coach get reprimanded for taking those boys in there.

  • http://www.nicolaloves.com/ NicolaLoves

    He kept those kids alive for 10 days with limited food. He taught them to meditate to stay calm and lick the walls for clean water. If they had been trapped in a cave due to flash flooding with me, pretty sure we would have resorted to canabilsm so I could survive.

  • http://www.nicolaloves.com/ NicolaLoves

    We are ridiculous. But not alone.

  • Readytochokemothernatureout

    ??????

  • abby500

    Excellent

  • dontgetblocked

    Praise God!! Everyone involved in this rescue effort is a hero! RIP to the diver who lost his life. They would have had to sedate me to get me out because I'm claustrophobic and I would have freaked out! Plus I'm not sure if my curvy body could have squeezed through those crevices.

  • https://twitter.com/Chicagowise Chicagowise

    What doesn't sit right with you? My comment or the fact that a 25 year old man led a group of underage boys deep into a dark cave, risking their lives? Personally, I think the coach was up to no good.

  • dontgetblocked

    I'm starting to feel bad for him too. He's only 25 and he has to live with the fact that a diver died.

  • dontgetblocked

    Really? You can do better than that!

  • dontgetblocked

    Yeah. I feel bad. He's young as well.

  • dontgetblocked

    I was too harsh on him.

  • Robert lee Bennett OG

    Is god also good when 20 kids burn to death on a house fire