The boys are recovering in the hospital after 18 days in the flooded Tham Luang cave. The doctors said that they are in good health and informed them of the tragedy only two days ago.
Chiang Rai (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The 12 boys and the coach of the Wild Boars football team rescued from the Tham Luang cave, in the northern district of Mae Sai, are mourning the death of the diver who lost his life during in the attempt to save them, said Thai Ministry of Health, Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk.
The Wild Boars players are recovering in the hospital (picture 2) after 18 days spent in the flooded cave, where they became trapped on 23 June. Strong monsoon rains had surprised the boys them in the underground system.
The doctors said they were in good health, almost a week after the three-day rescue operations that ended on 10 July when elite Navy units and foreign experts brought the last five members of the group to safety.
The final phase of the mission was marked by the tragic death of a volunteer diver, Saman Kunan, who died on 6 July while placing oxygen tanks at a location in the tunnels.
The boys, aged between 11 and 16, were informed of his death two days ago, when the doctors thought that they were emotionally strong enough to hear the news. Many, however, burst into tears.
“Everyone was moved and expressed their condolences, writing messages on a picture of Lieutenant Commander Saman (picture 1). The young people observed a minute of silence for him and thanked him, promising to be good guys from now on,” Chokdamrongsuk said yesterday.