International rescue team still searching for junior footballers trapped in Thai Caves

Much of Asia has been waiting with bated breath, hoping that a team of young footballers trapped in a cave in Thailand will be found and rescued soon. Even though it is now the fifth day that these young boys have been missing, hopes are still high they’ll be found safe and sound. 

Football Team Trapped in a Cave for Five Days: What Happened? 

Families have made makeshift shrines to pray for the safety of the football team trapped in a cave.

Last Saturday (23 June), a group of 12 boys aged between 11-16 from a youth football team, along with their 25-year-old coach, went inside a cave in Thailand. However, they were unable to escape, as rising flood waters prevented them from coming back the way they came in.

Five days on, rescuers are still to find the missing boys and their coach.

Officials have brought water pumps and hoses in an attempt to drain the water from the cave. However, the strong rainfall is making it difficult for them to completely drain the water. They’ve also had to stop the search today due to continuing heavy rains. 

Navy divers have also been called to action, and the latest is that search and rescue teams from England have also joined. But so far, none have made contact with the group. However, they have discovered handprints in some parts of the cave which are believed to belong to the missing boys.

On Tuesday, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon shared, “We are still optimistic they are all alive. Even though they may not have anything to eat, they should have water to drink.”

In the meantime, families of the missing boys are on a constant vigil right outside the cave.

Most of them are waiting, while some have set up makeshift shrines and are praying for the safety of their loved ones. 

One father shares, “I asked for all God’s wishes, but I’m certain in my heart that they will survive. They have been inside the cave before.”

The cave the boys got trapped in, called the Tham Luang Nang Non, is a common tourist attraction. The cave has been known to flood severely during the rainy season.

We will be updating this story as it progresses.

Keeping Connected with Your Child

It’s always a good idea to keep a line of communication open with your child whenever they go on field trips or camping trips. Having a means to talk to one another is not only beneficial during emergencies, but it also helps keep your mind at ease.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• You can give older kids a mobile phone. Make sure that they give you a call or a text when they leave, when they arrive at their destination, as well as when they go to a different place. Giving them a portable charger is a good idea too. 
• Make sure your child knows what to do in case of an emergency. If your child gets lost, they should know to look for the police or where they can seek help and assistance from.
• You should know where your child is going. Don’t just say yes whenever your child asks for your permission. Do some research so you know what to expect about where your child is going.
• Give them supplies. Snacks, medicine, and water are all essentials that your child should have at all times whenever they go on trips.
• They should contact you every day. If your child will be away for an extended period of time, make sure that they get in touch with you daily, and that they update you on their location, activities, etc.
• Parents can use trackers and mobile phone tracking apps to keep tabs on their child. While they aren’t 100% accurate, they may be helpful in finding your child should they go missing.
• Your child should always be with an adult or guardian who will oversee their safety. Make sure that this person is trustworthy, and that they have your contact information. Likewise, you should have their numbers. 

Source: BBC

Photo screencapped from: YouTube

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