Thailand cave rescue: media banned from site amid speculation over mission to free boys - LIVE

[Judi Lynn]

43. See the faces of the Thai boys whose cave odyssey captured the attention of the world

By CHRIS FRANCESCANI
Jul 8, 2018, 8:54 PM ET

These are the faces of hope that captured the hearts and prompted the prayers of millions across the world -- and drew dozens of the world’s most elite rescue divers to the Chiang Rai province of northern Thailand to risk everything to plunge into the depths of a pitch black cave and bring the boys back to daylight.

The boys, ages 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach became trapped on June 23 after exploring the depths of the Tham Luang Nang Non cave following a soccer practice game, but monsoon flooding sealed off their return route and prevented rescuers from finding them for nearly 10 days.

When they failed to return from their hike, Thai officials launched a massive search and rescue operation involving more than 1,000 people, including search and rescue specialists drawn from all over the world. Persistent rain complicated efforts to locate the group.

When they turned their attention to the Tham Luang Nang Non cave -- the longest one in Thailand -- rescuers had to navigate dark, narrow passageways filled with muddy water and rough currents, amidst the uncertainty of oxygen-depleted air.

More:
https://abcnews.go.com/International/faces-thai-boys-cave-odyssey-captured-attention-world/story?id=56444294