Rescuers find 12 Thai football players, coach alive in cave after 9 days

Twelve teenage soccer players and their coach, who went missing in a Thai cave more than nine days ago, have been found alive, though it remains unclear when they will be able to leave the cave.

An international search effort, including experts from China, Australia, the US and Britain, had been ongoing since the group went missing inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex.

A video from the Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page has been shared widely on social media, and shows the emaciated group several km inside the 10-km (6-mile) cave network on a small wedge of dry ground.

"We've come this far. There's no way we're going to lose them on the way out," Narongsak Osotthanakorn, governor of Chiang Rai province where the cave is located, told reporters early Tuesday.

What we know

• Energy gels and supplies to last for four months are being taken to the boys, who are in stable medical condition
• The group will also be getting diving training
• Rescuers are working on an evacuation plan, though experts say taking non-divers through a flooded cave is very dangerous
• Anmar Mirza, the US National Cave Rescue Commission coordinator, said many challenges are ahead

Thai Prime Minister praises 'tremendous efforts'

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha thanked international experts and rescuers who helped find the boys.

The prime minister's office highlighted "the tremendous efforts of all international units that have come to assist the Thai authorities in rescuing the youth football team that was stuck in the caves in Chiang Rai ... we all wish the team a safe and speedy recovery."

The search

The boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach went into a cave to celebrate a birthday. They went missing in the cave, which is a local tourist spot, when flooding trapped them inside on June 23.

Attempts by divers to find the missing team were continually hampered by rising water that has filled sections of the cave and forced them to withdraw for safety reasons. They had hoped to find the team on an elevated ledge called Pattaya Beach. The boys had moved 400 meters further as the ledge had become covered by water. Doctors said the boys had only slight injuries.

As the monsoon rains begin, water is being pumped out of the caves and a plan is being developed to bring them to safety. Suggestions have included teaching the boys how to dive, but also waiting until the waters subside.