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Efforts To Rescue 11 Thai Boys Trapped In Cave Threatened As Diver Dies

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Efforts To Rescued 11 Thai Boys Trapped In Cave Threatened As Diver Dies

The Boys(Source: Chiang Rai Times)

Efforts to rescue 11 Thaiboys, members of a football team and their coach, who have been trapped for two weeks has suffered a setback as a former military diver who was helping with the rescue, died this morning.

The diver’s death raises serious doubts over the safety of attempting to rescue the boys and their football coach, as officials have also warned that the chance of rescuing the boys alive is “limited”

“At first, we thought the children could stay for a long time… but now things have changed, we have a limited time,” Apakorn Yookongkaew told reporters.

The diver, identified as Saman Kunont, passed out and died while returning from the chamber where the boys are trapped.

He was part of a team trying to establish an oxygen line to the chamber where the children are awaiting rescue.

Many of the boys, aged between 11 to 16 are unable to swim and none has diving experience.

Chiang Rai deputy governor, Passakorn Boonyaluck delivered the “sad news” of the diver’s death to reporters massed at the entrance to the cave complex.

“On his way back he lost consciousness,” Navy Seal commander Apakorn said, adding he died despite the desperate efforts of his to help bring him out.

We lost one man, but we still have faith to carry out our work.”

When asked how they intend to help the boys make it out safely, since an experienced diver could not, Apakorn said they would take more precautions with the children.

Even for expert divers the journey is an exhausting 11-hour round trip.

“It’s very risky (diving out). Think about it, a Navy Seal just passed away this morning, so how about a 12-year-old kid,” said Rafael Aroush, an Israeli volunteer helping the rescue bid.

Officials vowed to investigate the death, and have sent his body to a local hospital for an autopsy.

The accident marks the first major setback for the gargantuan effort, which started almost two weeks ago after the “Wild Boars” team went into the cave in northern Thailand following football practice.