For about three weeks, the world waited with bated breath, uncertain that the twelve young footballers in Thailand, and their youthful coach, will be brought back home alive. All 23 had got trapped in a cave while on an excursion. What was a local adventure by the children became a global concern. Not even the World Cup events in Russia would totally suppress news about their fate. There were concerns as to whether they would all be rescued alive.
To start with rescue operation was advised to be put on hold because of water level. Then experts noted that the environment in the cave was too difficult for rescue operation to be successfully carried out. And to confirm that postulation a rescue expert lost his life while the site was still being explored before the rescue team launched out. So why not continue to pass food to them in the cave until it is safe to commence rescue operation?
Authorities in Thailand weighed the options
. They were concerned about the safety of the young footballers. For there was the apprehension that the rising water level poses danger to the survival of the boys and their loving coach in the cave. So, concerned about the safety of the boys, most of them teenagers and their 22-year old coach, they started the operation over the weekend.
The first to be rescued were four of the boys considered to the weakest. Their rescue posed a greater challenge to rescue team because the problem area where the victim was expected to also help himself would be, for them and the team members, a greater risk.
The world cheered when on Tuesday it was announced that all twelve boys and their coach had been brought out safely.
The rescue team, the authorities that backed the efforts deserve commendation. For the parents it was a great relief, because those whose children were saved first could not celebrate, as the fate of the others still hung In the balance. But they all could jump for joy now that joy had become a general good.
All thirteen have been taken to the hospital for treatment, as medics suspect that they have had some infection from their forced abode in over two weeks.
