There Is No Easy Way To Rescue Thai Youth Soccer Team

Officials were relieved when they found a missing youth soccer team from Thailand alive inside the flooded Tham Luang cave complex in Chiang Rai province but now they must figure out a plan to get the 12 boys and their coach out of the cave. 

Because the caves are flooded, the boys may be forced to swim out through deep, dark, muddy waters that have been difficult for trained divers to traverse. According to the Bangkok Post, there are some parts of the cave that are so narrow that only one person can fit through, meaning each boy could face the prospect of diving on their own. 

"Diving is not easy. Those who have never done it will find it difficult because there are narrow passages in the cave. They must be able to use diving gear. If the gear is lost at any moment, it can be dangerous to life," Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said. 

Workers are trying to pump water out of the cave, but progress has been slow. The water in most of the cave is knee-deep but is neck-deep in other parts. 

Officials are also considering plans to dig a hole through the ceiling and airlift them out, but that will take time, which is running out as there is more heavy rain in the forecast. Those downpours are expected to flood the caves even further. 

The worst case scenario is for rescue workers to wait until when the water subsides from the cave as the rainy season ends, which could be as late as October. 

Even if they have to wait, the boys will be able to contact the outside world. Khaosodenglish.com reports that the divers brought a telephone cable through the caves which will allow the boys to speak with their families. The divers will also be able to deliver them food and supplies if they are going to be stranded there for an extended period of time.

“We worked so hard to find them and we will not lose them,” said Chiang Rai provincial Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn.

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