Twelve 12-16 year old soccer players as well as the boys’ 25-year-old coach, were rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand after being trapped for over two weeks.
The group had been trapped in Chiang Rai’s Tham Luang Cave since June 23 due to heavy rainfall cascading through the cave’s tight, maze-like passageways. A team of cave divers discovered the group on July 2; the rescue efforts began on July 8, with eight members of the trapped team rescued on July 9 and the rest were freed on July 10.
The rescue team, which featured Thai Navy SEALs, gave the players anti-anxiety medication as they were navigated out of the cave, since most of the players didn’t know how to swim. The players were taken to the hospital, where they will be quarantined for at least a week to ensure that they don’t have any infections that could spread to other people.
As of now, there are at least two players who have might have lung infections, but they don’t appear to be serious.
President Trump congratulated the Thai Navy SEALs for the miraculous rescue.
“On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the Thai Navy SEALs and all on the successful rescue of the 12 boys and their coach from the treacherous cave in Thailand,” Trump wrote. “Such a beautiful moment – all freed, great job!”
On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the Thai Navy SEALs and all on the successful rescue of the 12 boys and their coach from the treacherous cave in Thailand. Such a beautiful moment – all freed, great job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 10, 2018