Thai officials believe 12 boys missing in cave are alive
MAE SAI, Thailand — Anguished parents of 12 members of a boys’ soccer team missing in a flooded cave in northern Thailand were spending a third night without their children Monday as water continued to rise in the sprawling caverns, forcing rescuers led by elite navy divers to suspend their search.
Officials said pouring rain caused parts of the cave to flood with at least 5 metres (16 feet) of water but that they believe the boys are still alive.
The boys, aged 11-15, are believed to have entered the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai province with their 25-year-old coach late Saturday afternoon. A mother reported that her son did not return from soccer practice that day, setting off the search.
The rising water frustrated efforts by the rescuers, including navy SEALs, to search farther in the cave, which is thought to be about 6-8 kilometres (4-5 miles) long and contain some large chambers. By Monday evening, officials made the call to temporarily pull out.