The soccer(football) team and their coach are probably kicking themselves that they are missing the FIFA World Cup in Russia. I hope they make it out in time to see the finals!
8
So excited to hear this!!! A joy for the families, the boys, and both countries as this has unfolded.
1
There is an extreme need to get the children out of the cave. Teaching the to use a scuba tank may take too long.
Why not use large flexible connecting pipes or tubes through the water areas? You would pump the water out of the pipes, then the children would crawl through.
Reality. What people are capable of when focused on what matters: the preservation of life and care for all.
9
Could they employ a two man submarine and take them out one at a time?
1
Wonderful they are alive and doing well. Now the really hard part comes. It makes my stomach turn upside down to think of how they are going to get them out.
We humans can be so wonderful. Wish we could persevere together to solve our world problems like these rescuers have banded together to save 13 souls.
Good luck to all.
14
If only people could unite every day to do something to help kids who need help wherever they are, under whatever circumstances.
9
Love the kings name
4
I am extremely glad that these boys were found and that they are all, apparently, safe and sound. That said, this isn't front page news. There is way too much going on in the world right now. Stick to real journalism.
1
I would warn people to realise it is not easy to scuba for a novice. What these boys will probably have to do, to scuba through small tunnels is something only very advanced divers do. Even if you know how to swim (which some of these boys may not) to put on a scuba 'regulator' (the apparatus you put over your face) and go underwater.... and stay there .....until you are in the open....without freaking out.....is not easy. This is not over.
Those divers have quite a task to prepare these boys for.
7
The best news of the day (week? month? year?)! I think I’ll just quit reading the paper right here and enjoy the moment!
11
Finally, some good news in this world!
11
Thailand and other countries are using every resource to rescue twelve children and their coach from a cave.
The Trump administration has used every government resource to "disappear" thousands of children and
incarcerate thousands more children and parents who are refugees from desperate places for the indefinite future.
9
Great news!
Bring the coach and ANY adult that directed this up on charges immediately.....
So NOTHING SAID about the COACH, the one adult and person responsible for the children and their wondering into the cave? And what role has he played in keeping the children alive and well in the cave all those ten days? No comnents BY the coach? Hmm...
Good News!!! SO glad these boys are safe and hungry...!
1
I am still waiting DJ Trump tweeter claiming credit for this !
5
Kudos to the many people involved in this rescue effort - especially the exceptionally brave divers who made lengthy efforts at widening the cave so others could get through.
I hope that those involved in the next phase of the rescue operation are 100 per cent successful.
Although we could wonder why the coach took the boys into the cave just a week before the rainy season, he should be given credit for holding the group together and getting them to higher dry ground within the cave. Plus, even the brief comments relayed by the heroic British rescue duo indicate that the pdychological condition of the boys is ok and the coach deserves credit for that.
8
Trying to teach them to scuba dive their way out of the cave seems totally impractical. Any chances of drilling a passage way from the surface to where they are, and raising them up through the hole with safety harnesses?
4
This reaffirms my faith in the resilience of humanity.
7
How wonderful it will be when these boys are reunited with their families. Meanwhile, back here in America so many families remain shamefully separated.
6
Like many, I check work email and scour headlines as the very first things I do in the morning. I mean in the first three minutes, smartphone compulsion in full swing.
I had briefly seen the words "Thai boys ... cave ... " and sleepily thought the worst. I'm so very happy to have been wrong about that.
This astoundingly good news about kids - who none of us will likely ever know - really made my day. May it end in a complete success!
And may it too all end in a similarly joyous reunification for the 2,300 children and their families here - also who none of us will likely ever know - who continue to experience a painful, criminal man-made disaster. Both groups of innocent children deserve the very best care and healing.
13
I cannot tell you how happy I am to see these young kids alive. I was getting so pessimistic.
Now I am worried about how they will get out. Poor little kids, and how much their parents will be frantic.
2
It's a relief to read some good news for a change. My thoughts and prayers are with the trapped team and their coach in the hope that they will eventually be rescued from the cave so they can return to their loved ones.
13
There’s been plenty of good news lately - so much winning!
But still, great to see that the first step if the rescue is complete. Now comes the even harder part - getting these boys out.
1
Thailand sets a standard of caring for children that is now sadly lacking in the United States. They did not treat the rescue as a photo-op but as a national necessity. Kudos to the determined and professional teams who were able to reach these trapped children and their leader. And kudos to the children and their leader who bravely survived so many days in the depths of the cave.
22
Praying for their safe return home
8
save your prayers please. their safe return will be in the hands of the rescuers and their training and skill...not by praying. You can pray all you want; it's human action, inaction and skill that wil determine the outcome.
8
If you believe it will help, pray for all children around the world put in harm’s way by reckless misguided and even self-aggrandizing actions motivated by bigotry and lack of foresight and empathy of those who are responsible for their wellbeing. Among these are the thousands of lost refugee children longing for their families right here in the USA.
2
This is really great news to hear... God is indeed great! Thanks to all that provided the necessary prayers, efforts and equipment to this cause... may God reward them!
10
there is no "god is great " for Buddhists, it's for Muslims and christains. Thailand is about 90% buddhist and in the north it's about 98%. It's praying to Buddha, not god or christ or allah. Their religion is totally different than christianity so please save your "praising" for some other place. Obviously you know little about Thailand or Buddhism.
Wonderful to hear of this happy news.
9
Thai cave rescue pod — I suggest a sealable pod with negative buoyancy sized for the largest boy, of sufficient volume to hold enough air for duration of the 3km transit, tied fore and aft to pull from the entrance through passageways and returned to retrieve the next passenger. Self contained torpedo capsule, no hazardous breathing mask. Could be fabricated in one day, several trial runs, all the boys safely retrieved a second day!
17
Cave too narrow, good idea though. There is one passage that only just yesterday waswidened enough to allow a diver with his air tank on to pass through.
4
"Thirteen."
"Brilliant."
Says it all. Khob Khun Ka!
16
This is a GREAT news!
4
The divers will bring the boys out but first they'll have to teach them how to scuba dive.
4
Ish. THey just have to be able to breathe throughout a regulator (not hard). THE boy will be attached by harness to a cave diver who will carry the air tanks.
Scuba diving isn’t that simple.
I'm surprised that they are in better shape than I'd thought. Everyone tries to help them intentionally except the governor.
5
Good news what a joy.
18
According to a couple of opinion pieces in the Bangkok Post, the Chiang Rai Governor who is supposedly leading the rescue effort is grandstanding and a great hindrance to the expert rescuers. The opinion writers feel he could help most by going back to his mansion and getting out of the way.
13
Wonderful to have found them all alive!
7
The Guardian reports that it could be weeks or months until they can be taken out of the cave.
9
King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun. Now, that's a great name. Glad they're OK. Best wishes getting them to safety.
17
That's amazing that those boys were found and that they are in decent condition. The resilience of youth.
7
I wonder if it is possible to bring a pipe into the cave, to take the children out.
3
Rescue by slide? IT would have to be VERY long, airtight for its entirety, and couldn’t be prefab because of the unique twists and turns in the cave... seems hard.
1
I call upon the US government to send any and all possible aid to assist in their rescue. Because THAT is who we are as a nation!
40
Were.
46
it’s who we want to be again. Vote Democratic, y’all. We can get there.
3
NEVER thought they'd be found alive~!
So glad to be wrong! Wonderful international effort.
21
Im suprised that they found them there. If I was working to remove water from a cave the last thing I would expect is to find a group of 13 year old hiding in there. Im happy that the new York Times post videos like this. It shows that they care for the world and not only America
39
The best qualities of a nation: competence and generosity. These are the threats to authoritarian and totalitarian regimes; when competent, generous souls together plan and execute a rescue, the world gives thanks. The "aristocracy of the plucky", give thanks-when those who have been given the most GIVE the most in the most SKILFUL way.
There is no greater threat to bad government and bad heads of states than consistent acts of competence and generosity from others.
We are full of wonder and gratitude for theses people who knew. How. to rescue. these human beings trapped in the stony, fetid dark
41
where their soccer shoes at?
4
They took off their shoes in front of the cave
1
I am assuming that the irony that the first rescuers of the Thai boys were British is not being discussed here?
7
Perhaps only in the Alanis Morrisette usage of the word.
That word, ironic, it does not mean whatever you think it means.
13
SteveRR : from what we've seen and read about this effort, its been very international with teams of diving experts from Thailand, the UK, the US, China, Australia and more involved.
Possibly just chance that the first two people to reach them were British.
21
Apparently that is only important to you. It was a multi-national team and a tremendous group effort, not a contest.
16
The boys sitting there with their teacher brings teas of joy to my eyes. To me, this is a picture very much like "The Last Supper".
14
Following the film "The 33," folks everywhere will be awaiting the movie of Ching Rai cave rescue.
7
This happy ending drama, so far, is a demonstration of the banality of political divisions. Thailand forgot its political fractures and responded as one to rescue these kids. It took unity, and openness to international cooperation, to save the future of a village. I think the same formula applies to the rest of this hesitant world.
41
I did not think this would end well at all. But it clearly will now, even with the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, back in the U.S.A. our government is deliberately separating children from their parents.
73
Seriously!
8
Finally some good news concerning the children of the world, well 12 of them at least. Yes,it is political, in fact.
30
I didn't politicize it. If I wanted to politicize it, I would have mentoned Trump, ICE, etc. But people like you are why we cannot discuss issues.
3
Come on, people. Caving is fun. Life must have some taking chances and making mistakes. The coach picked a bad season, but he's done a great job of keeping them together, alive and in decent spirits. Stop with the "they shouldn't have gone caving". They're teen boys; they should definitely be doing adventurous things like this.
49
Really? This mistake could have resulted easily in death for all these boys. Their (ongoing) rescue is a miracle, an exception to the norm. I am glad to hear you will pick up the bill after all this is over.
15
Here, I think you mistake "adventurous" with "irresponsible" and "life threatening". It is just the miracle of this outcome that makes you react like this. Would you have said the same if they were never have been found or when rescue came too late for all of them?
4
The rainy season hadn’t started yet when they went in. I blame climate change for this unexpected situation.
2
The Brits save the day...
19
Teamwork saved this day. No honourable rescuer would see this as about their country. Remember that the kids and coach are not yet rescued (as I write on July 2). However, we now have hope. And various teams will solve this.
Let’s support all these teams any way we can. Donate to each of their organizations, remembering one day that you too might need them, or other rescuers who will surely learn from their experiences.
35
Silly....the people there searching included cave diving teams from Thailand, the UK, the US, Australia and China....probably just chance that two Brit divers found them first.
9
To be fair, the British divers are renowned in cave rescue and have been requested by name for cave rescues of French and Norwegian divers. They are experienced in using rebreather: a type of diving equipment that allows air to be recirculated and reused.
But I think these divers would be the first to say that it is a team effort.
2
Thank you God
21
Thank you humans.
3
Compassion, care, and love to children everywhere. This ending shows that there can be international cooperation when children's lives are at risk. May we spread this -- the best of human efforts -- to suffering children everywhere, especially those caught in war zones, refugees, and asylum seekers. All children are innocent, and all deserve our cooperative efforts to ease their pain and risk.
102
Love this and love the Thai people
29
Thank goodness. Finally a good news story.
33
Such wonderful news! Bravo to Thai government and volunteers from everywhere for extraordinary search+rescue! So happy for brave boys, their coach+families! Extreme weather can make any excursion dangerous. Thank God they're ok!
29
They walked in the caves as planned? Or it was an accident? The coach had no idea about what he was doing? Very strange situation. But I am happy they are discovered by the British divers. Probably need a long time to make the boys back to normal psychologically and physically. Their parents had no ideas about this dangerous trip? As a grandparent I am shocked by this incident.
7
McLean4: sounds like it was a post-soccer game or practice idea, very casual...I mean the boys are aged between 11-16, and the coach is 25....probably not a lot of deep thought in going into the local cave!
Then floods came and they were trapped.
10
Thrilling news. Tip of the hat to the Brit Team.
22
Tip the hat to all the people from all the countries involved in this rescue.
9
Even in the age of Trump, there are still some people who look out for the interests of others rather than themselves. Wish Trump and his followers could use this as an object lesson/teachable moment.......but, sadly, they won't.
56
Trump is looking out for America
3
Ugh, not MY version of America, alas...
5
You live in NYC and still your eyes have never opened to the big con Trump has been pulling for decades? How much time do you need?
26
At a time when there is so much bad news, how wonderful to read this.
53
I am happy they found the kids. Why in the world would anyone take kids into a cave....Don't endanger the lives of kids for the thrill you might want...
14
Why would anyone take kids to explore a cave? Because it’s fun, exciting, and they learn a thing or two about nature. The 20-something coach picked a bad day to explore, but exploring is exactly what kids should be doing.
31
It really is brilliant news! Now I hope the rescuers can get the boys and their coach out safely.
32
I am a huge soccer fan, but without a doubt, this is the best soccer story of my lifetime.
61
What an uplifting story. Nations combining their efforts to save children separated from their families and trapped in terrifying conditions.
85
Tom Storm, there's another 2,000-plus children separated from their families and trapped in terrifying conditions. I hope the world will come together to help these children, too.
4
I actually started crying when I saw the photo. It’s sowonderful to see all of the effort and love committed to rescuing them. It’s lovely to me emotional over something good for a change.
42
Praise be to ... all the rescuers who risked their lives to find these boys and will continue to work to free each and every one of them.
Great news easily more than compensates for the soccer match loss of Mexico to Brazil earlier today.
16
Very good news, indeed, but the rescue is not done yet, and it's going to be tricky to accomplish. Keep your fingers crossed and pray to whatever power you believe in that all are rescued alive.
25
Putting my faith in all the many people who trained all their lives in cave rescues, the doctor and nurse who are trained divers, and these healthy, strong, brave young boys and their coach.
23
Finally, good news.
21
Citizens of the world really need to read/hear more Positive News stories such as this one! Enough of the repetitive global gloom and doom. We humans can only handle so much (constant) bad news.
46
So wonderful to have some good news!
25
This is what it's all about.
25
I've been listening to this on the BBC for days and as the days wore on, I thought I just didn't want to hear the bad news when it came. This is such a joyous story and such a relief! Congratulations to the relentless work of the divers!
80
There is a God!
13
No, there isn't. Sorry.
There are people dedicated to helping others, however. For which we all should be humbly grateful.
28
Oh please! It was skilled, brave and determined human physical ACTION that found them.
Imagine if everybody just sat around - inert - praying to something...someone. Just rocking back and forth, waiting and waiting for some invisible "god" to do everything for them...what would've happened then?
52
Yes, there is and she is not a very nice person because she let those kids and the coach get lost in that dangerous cave.
18
Thank God for wonderful, surprising news like this in these dark, dark times. My eyes misted over reading about this and are misty still.
29
“Brilliant “ indeed !
50
A true miracle! I thought they were gone for sure.
18
no miracle.. they were alive all along, waiting for rescuers to reach them.. a true miracle would be if all violence stopped in this world even for one day. that's a miracle, all other things pale in comparison.
2
This is the best news. Let's hope for a very happy ending. The boys have been found and now the challenge to extricate them from the cave safely.
Thanks for keeping us up to date.
36
Finally some breaking news that doesn't break our hearts but fills us with hope for humanity. These kids will of course need medical care but above all psychological care -- being in the dark, no sense of time passing, ,not knowing whether they'd be rescued, is a terrifying experience for anyone, let alone such young people. But they were together, and that probably made it bearable.
75
So happy to hear this wonderful news :)
22
Everyone is happy these kids and one adult were found. But what on earth were they thinking? Let's not forget that in doing what they did, they essentially endangered not only their own lives, but the lives of others as well.
7
Be nice, I believe this was a flash flood, which could not have been anticipated
25
In monsoon season? I feel sorry for them, but I think it could have been seen as a dangerous time to go caving.
@sparky jones:
C'mon Sparky, of course it could have. There were signs saying to anticipate just that...
2
Amazing. Simply amazing.
I don't own a smart phone. Has Trump taken credit for this, yet?
52
Well I dont' think the Thai Navy will take credit. Leave it to western technology and heroism.
5
Must EVERYTHING be about Trump ??!
3
Well, he certainly seems to think so.
1
At last, some beautiful and happy news. Beautiful: a sense that the world will be ok and that not everyone is insane. Happy: the boys are well and will be home with their families soon. Thanks to all those who helped to find them and bring such good energy to the news which gives us all hope.
42
Good news for the boys, their families and the divers!
My nephew was on a cave rescue team. One rescue operation, involving young kids trapped in a cave during a storm, did not end well. It haunts him to this day. So, I can imagine the joy the divers felt when they found the boys alive.
60
July 2, 2018
Awesome survivors for the collective will of the boys to survive and they reveal their grace and inherited strengths that are beyond works but surely will be seen in the joys we expect for all of them and with universal thanks to the human spirit to work miracles - and then the movie forthcoming - so we continue to admire the rescuers in thrust by faith in themselves and for saving lives in a caves day at work or for however long thy will be done.....everywhere. truth in action....
jja Manhattan, N.Y.
12
I wonder if they can drill a shaft in from the surface to extract them?
3
The article says that would have taken too long.
2
A story with a happy ending! We need more of these.
16
Thai, British, US and Australian rescuers. Humanity at its best. Bravo! Let's forget about our President for a day and remember that our world is a beautiful place and that there is still hope.
268
As well as rescue officials from Japan, China, Myanmar, and Laos, plus a whole host of Thai civilians providing assistance to rescue workers.
11
Splendid news.
21
I am soo happy for them and their families !!
I can only imagine what was going through those kids' minds, in the dark, famished ... all hope gone !
Thank God for the professionals who saved them !
31
And their parents! I am so, so happy for the parents, who have been through hell in the past 10 days as well!!
17
My favorite part of the story is the diver’s characteristically British one word response to the group. I hope ALL the brave people involved in the rescue get the recognition they deserve.
I was led into a cave in Northern Thailand by two local girls holding candles, who just for laughs pretended they didn’t know the way out. It’s the only time in my life I was so afraid my knees knocked together.
I will never go into a cave again.
82
If President Trump had an ounce of class he would bankroll those kids a trip Disney World !! If He doesn't - then I will!
30
If you live close to Disney Land, why are you wanting them sent to Disney World?
1
Aaron, what's stopping you from putting your money where your mouth is?
10
They're not out yet.
2
Well, this is stating the obvious, but what wonderful news!! For the children, for their families, and, finally, for the world.
35
anybody remember "Ace in the Hole" ( also sometimes called The Big Carnival), the Billy Wilder picture?
7
This is great news. I was afraid they were gone.
8
I want to know how they kept alive for 12 days. It's tough with minimal food and water. Did they drink the flood waters?
7
I suspect they had water. Most healthy children/ adults can survive without food for more than one week
8
Wonderful news! I feared this would end badly.
16
2nd feel good story of the last 7 days. First the woman from NY knocks off the Casper, then this. Croatia still in. So is Uruguay. Too bad Mexico out. Feel good stories keep on coming.
10
Chai-yo! The rescue effort shows what is possible when people from different nations work together. I hope all the nations involved can find other areas of cooperation related to the safety of children.
58
Really, it is a marvel, and so inspiring.
12
Some good news among the drudgery.
17
It's the Allegory of the Cave...these young men have faced a totally different level of reality, not knowing when and if they would be released from their claustrophobic circumstances. I am sure their post-emergence lives and perspectives will be significantly altered. Good luck to them, and I commend their bravery.
55
Boys, please know how much many of us needed this news today. As we cheer your going home to your families, we continue to pray (even me, the agnostic at best) that the migrant children lost here in our country (because of hard hardheartedness and cruel policies) also find their way home.
71
Praise be!
Now, when does the movie come out?
6
That would be awesome but will never happen
Give Disney 3 years. Pretty sure their legal team is already on it.
2
Didn't they do a movie on the Chile mining rescue?
3
We always say our prayers but it nice to see them heard for a change. I hope the kids can get some home cooked spicy Thai food and coconut water and soon they will be back on the soccer field again. I hope the diver did not tell them Messi and Ronaldo are out. They are superstars for the kids!
19
utter nonsense. Prayers aren't heard. superstitions. The divers found them, the divers will rescue them. They were alive all along so prayers didn't determine anything.
Great news! These adventures are wonderful to reflect on provided all survive well and in once piece.
6
While finding the boys is wonderful, getting them out will be very difficult. The divers involved in this a well trained and capable. From the descriptions there are very narrow passages and place where the only way out is underwater. Godspeed to them all!
41
What a joyous outcome on a story that deserved much more coverage.
12
Good news! Hope to see these youngsters reunited with their loving families!
8
Great news....those boys will have something to talk about back at their schools!
8
In this dreadful Trump age, ill take any good news!
33
If there is something that can unite humanity across our many divides, it is a story like this, where concern for the boys and their coach are paramount ...... what ever your skin tone, what ever deity you hold sacred, what ever your spoken tongue or locale. Bless the rescue team for their efforts to date!
33
Excellent news! Complements to all involved and the kids for their bravery.
21
Best news all week. I have no doubt rescuers will figure out how to extract these brave kids. So happy for their parents and other relatives as it must have been a brutal waiting period. Hats off to the divers and others who found them.
31
Hooray for the rescuers and a country that came together! Imagine what that must be like America.
10
Hallelujah! Love and blessings to these rescuers and praise to the Lord above who heard one billion prayers for mercy.
11
When do you suppose the Lord will hear the billions of prayers about starvation, disease, war and the suffering caused by manmade climate change?
32
Yes praise the Lord!
4
Why does a supposedly good god have to be begged for mercy for innocent children?
22
I definitely needed this news today. Major kudos to the international search and rescue community.
17
So happy to see this! Wish there was a front page column highlighting one happy news story every day.
11
A welcome respite from the avalanche of dire news constantly issuing from the current residents of the White House. What a delight!
20
This is such joyful news and welcome, particularly on the heels of the horrifying attack on very young children in Idaho. On looking for more details about that, I found this site, which I hope folks don't mind my sharing:
https://help.rescue.org/donate/help-refugees-hurt-in-boise-attack
15
So far, so good! Let us all hope now, those admirable rescue workers will finally be able to save all the boys and their coach!
On a side note: It makes me sincerely happy, to read from American citizens, sharing their humane excitement and their passion for the good in mankind!
Tweets come and go, but one thing remains true to me: You really are the leaders of the free world, whose ancestors made it possible, we can live in a democratic society under the rule of law!
Thank You, and all the best to You and those brave boys in Thailand!
48
Martin, Many many Americans are hoping this long national nightmare will soon be over. (Come on, Robert Mueller!)
19
Aw shucks, we didn't do anything but our duty. Three cheers for the British volunteer diving seal team. Brilliant! Let everyone work together now to bring 'em home!
8
Mueller's got nothing, there is nothing. Sorry, wishing just doesn't make it so.
So glad they were rescued! Can’t imagine the anxiety of the parents.
Meanwhile, in Yemen........
11
So thankful they have been found! Now to get them out safely.
17
Thank the rescuers, not god.
59
As a father, I cannot fathom what those boys' parents went through facing starvation and being "buried alive."
Amazing story! Made my day!
29
That coach will have some explaining to do.
12
Unless you know something I don't, WHY?
5
@Nancy-why he took those kids during the rainy season and previous downpours into a cave that all the locals knew would flood. That's why.
1
According to the article, rainy season starts in July. Climate change? Weird weather pattern? A perfect storm of factors?
Wonderful news!
15
Its nice to read some good news on the front page!!
20
Best news in days/weeks. Certainly for today. Just wonderful.
Bless and protect the brave rescuers / divers. What brave and dedicated people.
23
So good to hear of the kind hearts and caring of many for these boys. Hopefully, all will be able to get to their homes and loved ones soon.
We need more stories reporting goodness and concern for the well being of others unmixed with all the other issues that seem to burden all of us around the world today.
26
Praise God. FANTASTIC!!!
10
Praise British Royal Navy divers and the Thai government. God had nothing to do with it. Would you have said "Curse God" if they had been found dead?
113
God had nothing to do with it! Why not blame god for flooding the cave?
48
Why the negative comment? Why not just be thankful?
9
Yeah, good human beings. You see, it's not all bad.
19
So thankful for this good news. Finally.
29
Some great great news!!!
18
Best news since the Chilean coal miners! Let's get these kids home. There was a time when American fingerprints were all over such good new. Great to see nations handling their own tragedies with such aplomb and technical expertise.
23
@mr isaac
Hey! Our finger prints are still very much all over such good news! The U.S. Pacific Command sent an American team of 30 search and rescue experts to Thailand last week to share their skills and experience and assist in finding and rescuing the boys.
27
The divers who got through were British, so can't exactly say the Thais handled their own problem. Still, fantastic news.
16
It was indeed an international effort.....Australians included.
"Act in haste, repent at leisure."
4
Headline: “12 Boys Found; Adult Coach Unimportant”
11
Hey, they changed the headline to add the coach! Wow they really do read the comments!
10
A committed team accomplishes great things. Teamwork and commitment: high praise for all involved. Good for the boys staying in one place and staying safe.
20
Tear of Joy!!! With all the troubles in the world, this is has to be the news i've heard in many months. Thais never gave up. Now, i need to get some champagne and dance till i drop with joy.
28
Fantastic news! The rescuers are the real heroes tirelessly working day and night to find the boys.
With scuba divers and medical teams may all the boys be brought out safely to their waiting families!
54
Adagio - you are 100% correct. God doesn't enter into this so why do people keep thanking him (or her)?
11
And you know this, how?
So far so good. I am praying for a happy ending to this story--all rescued and well. We need this good news so much in today's world of strife.
35
with all due respect, praying has nothing to do with the resolution of this matter. And all of the prayers didn't stop the drenching rains to continue until the last couple of days? Why? Didn't pray hard enough i suppose.
62
Mr. andrews - Respectfully, praying had a lot to do with the resolution if you consider the "matter" to include the parents and relatives not losing their minds in the interim. I am very glad they drew strength from their God[s].
3
With all due respect, it’s rude to dismiss someone’s well intentioned and in this case harmless well wishes because the way they express them doesn’t jibe with your views. The families prayed; why attack a reader for doing the very same thing the families did? Will you contact the families too and tell them to stop their praying?
1
Isn’t this wonderful! Their parents and families are so relieved and happy and grateful. I am too.
31
Neat story. Sounds like a plot for a Hardy Boys novel. Did they find gold?
9
OMG, finally some good news. This is wonderful!!!
43
Has Trump tweeted on this yet?
Something else he can take credit for.
28
What great news!
I'm so sick of trump this and trump that. It's refreshing that there still is good news to be read.
On the other hand, how soon before trump takes credit for the rescue?
163
You’ll know very, very soon.
2
If the other end of the tunnel leading to this cave were in U.S. territory then one could imagine the yelling at the White House: "But if we don't take them straight to the detention center then my people will see us as weak!"
7
He would have dove in himself, even without scuba gear if he had been there..... just ask him!
17
Yesss! Followed this story this week and was so happy to see this news. Amazing news for a change! Those boys should get to go see the world cup final!
35
The whole world share's Thailand's relief and joy that the boys were found alive. However, they must be in a terrible state. Lets hope they can hang on to make a full recovery.
53
Thank goodness for the lucky thirteen!
24
Wow, a spot of good news!!
33
Wonder what they call the king around the house.
19
MY thought, exactly!
2
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful news! Also demonstrates why countries need each other and we shd not be isolated from other countries as Trump wants!
66
Thank goodness for some good news finally after recent events here. I had nearly given up hope for a rescue.
15
Why r they in the cave in the first place?
11
And your point is...? Be happy they were found alive!
11
Good grief, didn't you have a childhood? Didn't you ever explore forests and river beds and caverns? There is no blame here. Just joy.
103
They have a point. the troupe leader and kids were local and all the locals knew about the dangers of hiking into that cave during rainy season. No reason the teacher should have lead them in there, none. Childhood or no, if you know the risks and you take them, and lose, you're responsible for the consequences. It's call "intelligence". There wasn't any this time.
2
The coach should get a “coach of the year” award for keeping those kids together down there.
20
Unfortunately, the coach led the boys into the cave system during flood season, when warnings are posted to not enter.
11
@Phil Technically, the rainy season begins in July and they were a week ahead of it going into the cave. Cutting it too close, probably, but still, I, like Cliff, give the coach (who's only 25 years old, after all) major props for keeping the kids together and alive.
2
the rainy season can and often starts in June or sooner. July is just an average "start" month; it can also start later.
For the families and the people working to find them, way to go.
This shows just how amazing human beings can be when they have to.
28
Sometimes things work out. But it takes effort and courage. Stilll, we should never lose hope.
30
The rescuers, all of them, in any way involved in this deserve the greatest thanks. This is humanity.
162
The coach should be hugged for keeping these out of harm's way during an unimaginable nightmare...and then slapped for getting them there in the 1st place. Someone had to say it.
203
What made you think that person needed to be you?
3
I am not sure that this 25 year old coach deserves anything but respect. Anyone could do something minorly foolish like take a group caving, and then end up trapped by rising waters. However, only a hero could keep 12 boys alive and hopeful for 10 days in the cold dark.
15
Believe me, he's slapped himself plenty.
11
Wonderful news. I hope that the cave can be closed so that this never happens again.
9
Fantastic rescue! Congratulations to the rescue workers and their supporters, and best wishes for a full recovery to the team and its leader. Such heroism and fortitude make everyone feel great.
35
Having trekked and explored the caves in this region, I have been remembering the incredibly kind and gentle people who live in Thailand. This story is such a wonderful reminder of how we must open our hearts and dedicate ourselves to the many people who are in crisis. People can collaborate and take care care of one another to solve seemingly insurmountable challenges.
356
I am glad to see that we can still come together in times of crisis! A wonderful result. Thank you rescuers!
51
Magnificent.
It’s a stretch, but Plato’s cave comes to mind (somewhat twisted). Much of the world could work this way if certain “leaders” weren’t working to drain the mouth of the cave but to wall it up.
Anyway, we’ll done.
17
... but an interesting stretch
2
What a blessed relief this is for those trapped and their families, and what good news for all the rest of us to read. I know there's still the extraction to go, but my money's on every one of them who is currently alive getting out in the same condition.
21
Children Saved!
This is what joy, happiness, and the goodness of humanity looks and feels like.
152
Finally, some great news. Thanks to all who worked extremely hard. I hope they all get out safely. And stay out. Seriously.
97
What a great story! This is a nice distraction from our news here at home.
67
As a physician, I would suggest treating them in place. Bring light, intravenous saline, calories, nutrition, oxygen, heat and nurses. You’ve already brought them hope. Great work, amazing story!
290
They are in a cave where all supplies for 13 patients must be dragged in for miles of flooded tunnels by a specialized dive team. Each trip is dangerous. They aren’t going to have electricity, so everything will have to run off batteries that also must be brought in. And it’s still raining, so there’s always the danger that the cave they are in could still flood, drowning everyone in the cave including nurses.
I’m just a MS4 now, but I also served as a military medic. This is not a safe scene. The priority here needs to be evacuation for both the sake of the patients and their rescuers. Certainly they’ll need basic care — heat, fluid and nutrition — while waiting but this is not a situation to stay and play.
137
Agreed, that the kids are not out of the "woods" yet. My medical colleague and you are both correct about the current needs and the daunting task ahead. Nonetheless, this a remarkable and uplifting bit of news.
In a different time, these kids (and their coach) would have been discovered by some spelunker a few hundred or thousand years from now wondering what exactly was going on.
Dying alone, lost and feeling that people have forgotten about or given up on you must be an awful feeling. One wonders what the kids and their coach were thinking before their discovery. Now they know that they have a chance and a good one at that.
Dr. Kevin Fong who consults for the British Navy gave an interesting interview on search and rescue under extreme conditions: https://www.npr.org/2015/04/10/398761313/practicing-extreme-medicine-fro...
A South African dive team recovered Harris Onokene alive from a sunken ship he was stranded in: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/03/harrison-okene-rescued-video_n...
Of course there was the rescue of the Chilean miners.
Let us not forget the bravery of the heroes who salvage victory from defeat.
4
I did not suggest ‘stay and play’. But nine days without food and water means the survivors are close to death. They need treatment now, and this is likely already happening.
Scuba diving is physiologically demanding. They will be put at great risk if they are moved before they are ready while they face the uncertain risk in how long they can safely remain. The rescuers know all this, of course. We all want to help- my children suggested sending a pipeline or two for oxygen and supplies. Commercial divers use such a thing instead of scuba tanks.
Much can be done now and certainly the authorities are exploring surface approaches while they continue to try to drain the caves. It’s a race against time.
12
Amazing! Please keep us posted on how the rescuers get the boys out before wrapping up the story. This is wonderful news.
119
Great news!
34
Great news - I've been following this since they went missing. These rescue guys are good at what they do and will find a way to get the group out of the caves!
42
I am so gladdened by this that it brought a tear to my eye. Three cheers for the rescuers!
84
I read the story and then realized ¨found¨ does not mean ¨rescued¨ yet. But, at least, they can now get them food, water, and first aid and then concentrate on how to get them out. Made my day to hear this news.
94
Thank you to all the rescue teams.
45
We cannot praise too highly the grimly determined courage of the rescuers in this apparently averted tragedy. God Bless You all Rescuers!!!!!!!
314
"god" put them in danger in the first place. what rubbish. That's an insult to all people who use common sense and not superstition in their daily lives.
2
When I first heard this story a few days back, my cynical heart didn't believe it was possible that the boys would be found alive... this is amazing news!
230
Me either, but when they talked about a place within the cave that is a high spot, for me it was just a matter of getting to them. Aside from that, no where in these posts do I see the coach being applauded for keeping these boys together, and as safe as he could. Some may want to blame him, but those caves are open to exploration in fact many people use them regularly, since the place where they are, has a specific name, and had been pointed out to the rescuers.
24
The world's prayers have been answered.
54
No, the skills of the rescuers have been rewarded.
106
Both.
prayers had nothing to do with it. The skill and smarts of the children and their teacher along with the detemination of the rescuers and all Thais in finding them. where was god, when he/she unleashed all of that rain?
25
A ray of joy in what has been a difficult week.
212
The pleas uttered out loud and in heads across the world made us feel better, but did nothing to enter the equation of causes and conditions that resulted in what happened. Still, gratitude for life is the feeling we can all share today.
29
A fantastic and much-needed happy ending. BBC had the story about the boys and featured a mother who had been standing outside of the cave and calling her son's name. Their bikes and shoes were lined up at the entry. It has been haunting me...
Care for the children. Everywhere! Hooray!
405
This is fantastic news! I cannot imagine how worried their families must have been waiting and hoping.
109
Awesome! Good news, we can use it.
162
Wonderful news!
121
It's wonderful to hear a happy (near) ending. This has been a remarkable effort, and all those involved in the rescue mission deserve the highest of praise. I hope that the rescuers are able to get all the children and their coach out of the cave, in good health, and that the result is a truly happy ending.
93
With all of the hate going on this wonderful story reminds you that there is a real caring God. May we all gain the strength to deal with whatever confronts is.
55
Superstition had nothing to do with it - let's not perpetuate stone age myths. They were rescued through the extraordinary efforts of other humans.
19
Without demeaning your remark about a caring god, I would point out that what happened here was the work of caring humans.
3
this is a Buddhist country so your christian god and view points bear any meaning. Same goes for your prayers.
4
This made me very happy. Humanity at its best.
82
I know. "Humanity at its best" seems to be in short supply recently. :-)
4
At least give them something to eat. Are they high enough so that there is no chance the water would rise to where they are. If so, that gives them time to figure out how to get them out safely.
21
IF you haven the eaten in 10 days, it’s can be quite dangerous to start eating again quickly. THey will have to be monitored to they eat safely, which is very hard to do if you’re starving. Food is actually pretty low on the list of priorities here. They have to worry about the dangers of taking boys who have never SCUBA’d before on a very risky cave dive. Also, the air in the cave is likely to have become pressurized because of the water rising. That means the boys are at risk of getting the bends. It’s a big process to get them back to safety.
7
My understanding is that doctors with easily digestible foods are already with the boys.
1
I’m very happy that these boys got rescue. Thanks to the expert diving team as well as the local government for their extensive search for the boys and their coach.
39
They have been located, but they are far from being rescued at this point.
4