Children missing in Thai cave found.

[eloisesparkle]

It appears the children and teacher have been found alive.
Has a miracle happened ?
I am so delighted and hope they will be ok after their horrific ordeal.
It's always nice to see good news as lately all the headlines are of something bad having happened.
Please forgive me if there is already a thread on this topic.

I’ve read that the boys have said they can hear dogs barking at times so possibly a hidden chimney to the surface near them? Either that or they’re hallucinating?

I’d guess that these aren’t highly affluent, educated or globally connected people.

Several of the boys, or at least one of them, evidently speak and understand English, as they were able to communicate with the British divers who first reached them.

(And one of them can clearly be seen to be wearing an England shirt. Since they are a football team, I'd suppose they would be interested in the World Cup.)

My heart is breaking for the boys and their families. Since I was 7 years old and my grandmother died I have had an extreme phobia a out being underground. Even the diagrams of the cave are making me feel a little panicked. I also have 2 DSs within the same age bracket. I cannot imagine how terrified they must have been feeling before being found, and now too. Every morning I wake up and check the news for an update.

bit of a general update

Thanks Damson. I've just made a donation.

that's really good of you.

I don't know if it would help, and I by no means want to diminish your phobia of being underground at all, but one thing that gives me small comfort in this is that at least the boys are adventurous and we're happy to go exploring caves in the first place. However traumatic this all will be for them, they may cope with the whole ordeal slightly better than if they were fearful before they went underground.

Have there been any details about the likelihood of the ledge flooding ?

I'm assuming that this is thought to be a possibilty and that the staying underground until end of monsoon season is not necessarily an option ?

I read that the army are confident that they can stop the ledge from flooding, but I’ve also read reports that suggest it’s not possible to secure the chamber from flooding, so who knows.

The longest anyone has survived underground is 69 days, the Chilean miners.

I was talking to a diving friend today who thought it would be impossible to extract the boys by diving them out due to the risk of them panicking in the dark, tight tunnels.

Despite all this I think they will get out somehow.

Australian reports suggest they are preparing to bring them out through the flooded passage.
Will be terrifying for those poor lads.

I think the problem is they can’t be 100% certain if the dry bit they’re in now will remain above the water level for the whole of the rainy season. Nobody will have been in that section during rainy season before. Nobody can predict how bad this season will be. You only need one concentrated downpour to raise the water levels dramatically in a small space.

I understand that- this may be their best chance.
I just hope it works out and everyone is safe.
A dreadful ordeal.

It's very much which is the least risky option? My heart is with them, both the kids down the cave and those having to make these decisions.

Yes, whatever decision they make will be a gamble. Rescuers will be heros if it pulls off, not so much if there’s a bad outcome.

One rescuer has died.

So tragic.

I just can’t see how this can have a happy ending.

summer- I'm afraid I am with you.
Heavy rains are coming in 48 hours- options are becoming limited.

Oh gosh :( It's not looking good is it :( . What on earth would be the kindest way to go if they cant make it!? Slowly watching a room fill with water is the stuff of nightmares. I wish they could talk to their families

So sad for the diver that has lost their life in an effort to save them.
I can't see how drilling could work it could cause mayhem. I only know a little about geology.
I think dams might be a better option. But again leave it to the experts.
If an experienced diver didn't survive what hope is there?
I have been praying and I'm not holy.
I was hoping for a happy ending but I don't know now :(

Just awful. They are now worried about lack of oxygen due to so many working in the caves.

They say they won't take risks, but time is not on their side. It's truly horrific.

BBC article on the death of Saman Gunan. RIP?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-44734385

He was taking in oxygen canisters, as there are concerns about air quality in the cave. They hope to run a cable into the cave to supply air

Also at one point do those able to get out ie the divers and medics etc leave?

That is ever so sad.

Awful news. With rain coming on Saturday I think they said, does make you wonder what else they can do quickly:( without risking anyone else's life

Oh crap.

There was not meant to be a question mark in my previous post, just a full stop. Sometimes, inaccurate typing and proof reading is inexcusable, and this is one of them. My apologies.

Terrible news .

The extra 7 adults with the team must ,I guess ,use more oxygen .Plus I guess the boys are moving around more .

Chap on radio - diving expert - was saying might be easier if boys were sedated .