Photo from Google Images
The World Cup is now in the semi-finals, but the one soccer team that the entire world has been rooting for isn’t playing in the World Cup. On June 23rd the Thailand Wild Boars soccer team had finished playing and wanted to explore the cave with their coach. They had explored the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in northern Chiang Rai province before, but they wanted to go further into the cave and write their names on the cave wall as an initiation.
The 25-year old coach and twelve boys from 11 to 16 years-old became trapped inside the cave when heavy rains flooded the cave and they went missing for nine days! For nine days the coach and the twelve teammates had disappeared from the rest of the world without food until they were found by rescue divers in a desperate search that drew world-wide coverage.
The Thai Navy as well as teams of some of the most experienced divers from around the world had been bringing them food, water, medicine, and diving equipment into the cave. An air pipe was also ran into the cave to raise oxygen levels. These divers described the 2.5 mile dive as being the most dangerous dive they have ever attempted.
Experts from around the globe were volunteering their assistances to rescue all 13 lives that were stuck in the flooded cave. Most of the boys did not even know how to swim! Being trapped and still alive 2.5 miles deep into the cave launched an international rescue effort with very complicated and detailed planning to rescue everyone.
Rescue teams worked around the clock to strategize how to maneuver all 13 through the flooded narrow passageways with limited visibility. About 40 percent of the water was pumped out of the cave and flooded farmers’ fields nearby. The farmers were happy to have their fields flooded to help save the 13 lives. “With the farming, we can make money again. But 13 lives are not something we can create,” one told the Straits Times.
On Sunday, each boy was paired with two divers and a full-faced mask used for beginner divers. The professional divers carried (swam with) their oxygen tanks. The first part of the 2.5 mile escape plan required wading and diving through the flooded narrow passages and having to squeeze through a 15 inch hole. Then, they had a one-mile climb over slippery rocks with ropes to help stability. A separate rescue team of specialist helped complete the safety mission. It took nine hours for the divers to walk out of the cave with the first four boys.
After 18 days, Thai Navy officials confirmed that all 13 lives were safe and recused from the cave. The extremely tiring and demanding rescue claimed the life of one experienced volunteer diver. All 13 lives from the small town on the Thai-Myanmar border are reported to be doing well and expected to make full medical recoveries. Thanks to the global humanitarian effort, the resilience of the Wild Boars and the bravery of the divers, the entire world can celebrate together.
FIFA invited the team to attend the World Cup final in Moscow, but they are unable to accept due to medical reasons and precautions. “We will look into finding a new opportunity to invite the boys to a FIFA event to share with them a moment of communion and celebration,” FIFA said in a statement.
I have a feeling that more teams from around the world will be inviting the Wild Boars to watch many games. One day, when these kids are playing for Thailand in the World Cup, they will get to hear just how loud the world was rooting for them!