First six Thai boys rescued from flooded cave (updated)

CHIANG RAI (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): At least six members of a Thai schoolboy soccer team have been rescued from the flooded cave where they had been trapped for more than two weeks, a senior member of the rescue team said on Sunday (July 8).

Elite divers entered the Tham Luang cave at 10am on Sunday (July 8) to carry out the dangerous rescue mission to bring out the 12 boys and their coach. They have been trapped underground since June 23.

An ambulance leaving the Tham Luang cave area in Chiang Rai, Thailand on July 8, 2018. - AFP

Officials earlier said the earliest time the first survivor could emerge was 9pm (10pm Malaysian time), but local media reported that the first boy was out at 5.37pm. A second boy came out at 5.50pm.

Tossathep Boonthong, chief of Chiang Rai's health department and part of the rescue team, confirmed the rescue of the first two boys.

"Two kids are out. They are currently at the field hospital near the cave," he said.

"We are giving them a physical examination. They have not been moved to Chiang Rai hospital yet," Tossathep told Reuters.

One of the first boys to emerge from the cave network is Mongkol Boonpiem, 13, according to sources.

The name of the other was not immediately released.

AFP reported that four boys have reached the base rescue camp inside the cave complex and will walk out soon.

"Four boys have reached chamber three and will walk out of the cave shortly," Lieutenant-General Kongcheep, the Thai defence ministry spokesman told AFP.

Tantrawanit was referring to the area where rescue workers had set up a base.

A military helicopter believed to be carrying rescued schoolboys takes off near Tham Luang cave complex in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand, July 8, 2018. - Reuters

AP reported that two ambulances were seen leaving the cave heading to a nearby helipad, and a helicopter was seen taking off.

Officials had said earlier that helicopters were on standby to take anyone rescued from the cave to a hospital.

It was unclear who was inside the ambulances or the helicopter. Officials did not immediately comment, reported AP.

DPA reported that the rescue mission today was only for six people.

"The rescue mission today was only to rescue six people" from the cave in the country's north, said an officer from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

"Six people have already been brought out," the unnamed officer said in an audio clip sent to media.

A press conference is expected to be held shortly.