Thai cave rescue mission: New video surfaces to show youngsters ‘healthy’

Bangkok, July 4: Their indomitable spirit has caught the world's attention and now a new video released by Thai Navy SEALs on Facebook has shown the teenage soccer players who got trapped inside a complex cave system in Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand saying they were "healthy" and thanked those who were waiting in the wings to protect them.

The squad, comprising 12 boys aged between 11 and 16 and their 25-year-old coach, was yet to come out of the trapping and would have to spend another night underground after the rescue officials said they will not attempt to shift them before Thursday, July 5, CNN reported.

The boys and the coach were discovered on Monday, July 2, nine days after they got trapped inside the cave by rising water and experts said that they could remain trapped there for months because of the rising water level. However, the team is being monitored round the clock with food and medical aid being rushed them.

Navy SEAL guards were deployed for their assistance while the officials were working on ways to evacuate the boys with all security arrangements on. The boys were also provided with treatment for their minor injuries suffered during their plight inside.

The team, which went missing on June 23, is believed to have entered the cave in dry conditions but a sudden downpour blocked the exit, trapping them inside. Officials tried to install a phone line on Tuesday to enable the boys to talk to their worried families but it was successful.

On Wednesday, July 4, Chinag Rai's Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said it would be "difficult" to rescue the boys on Wednesday and didn't want to give an estimated timeline on when they could be brought out, CNN reported, adding that he only said that the officials were working very, very hard.