BANGKOK: The marathon rescue operation to bring 12 young footballers and their coach out of a flooded cave in Chiang Rai claimed its first fatality on Friday when a former Navy SEAL diver died while working in the cave.
Petty Officer 1st class Samarn Kunun, 38, who had joined the rescue operation, collapsed and died during the operation in the Tham Luang cave in Mae Sai district at about 1am on Friday, Naval Special Warfare Command chief Apakorn Yukongkaew said in front of the cave.
The 13 Mu Pa Academy football club members have been trapped inside the cave since June 23.