Rescuers bring rope inside Tham Luang cave to save the stranded football teams (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – Ensuring communications with rescuers inside Tham Luang cavepose a challenge in the mission to rescue members of the football team trappedin the flooded cave, along with risks of the upcoming storm, said Chiang Rai GovernorNarongsak Osotthanakorn.
Speakingwith reporters on July 5, Osotthanakorn said although special forces couldenter the cave and the 12 teenage footballers and their coach have been broughtto a safe place inside, rising water levels could hinder the rescue mission.
Ittakes 11 hours for the rescuers to reach the victims’ location and comeoutside, as the cave is deeply submerged and the communications network inside isincomplete.
Teachingthe boys to dive is viewed as the most feasible option as heavy downpours areexpected in Chiang Rai this weekend, said the governor.
Aftertwo weeks of the rescue operation, it is too early to tell when the team could exitsafely. Water levels in the cave will not decrease if heavy rains continue, headded.
MermaidSubsea Services has proposed providing diving equipment to help the team getout of the cave.
Accordingto Thai media, although the victims have received medical treatment, food andclean water, they have not been able to contact their families as a mobilephone rescuers carried broke on the way through the cave. Rescuers are attemptingto deliver another phone to the victims.
Meanwhile,a coordinator of the international rescue force said rescuers need to takeprompt actions as a storm is due to hit on July 6, flooding the whole cave.
Secretaryof the Thai Public Health Ministry Jessada Chokdamrongsuk said ChiangraiPrachanukroh hospital is ready to receive and treat the stranded victims oncethey are saved.-VNA
