Seán Clarke, Paul Torpey, Paul Scruton, Michael Safi, Daniel Levitt, Pablo Gutiérrez and Chris Watson
All of the 12 Thai boys who became stranded inside a flooded cave network have been rescued, along with their coach. The perilous operation to extract them took place as rainy weather moved in The Moo Pa (Wild Boars) academy team, whose ages range from 11 to 16, became trapped with their 25-year-old coach, Ekaphol Chantawong, inside the six-mile Tham Luang cave in the Doi Nang Non mountain range on 23 June.
Nine days later rescue divers located the team sheltering on a ledge surrounded by water. About two miles of narrow, flooded passageways separated their refuge from the main entrance. Efforts to pump water out began immediately as authorities tried to take advantage of a break in monsoon rains.
How did the rescue work?
Round-the-clock pumping paid off with conditions said to be walkable in some parts of the cave. But the rescue operation still hinged on the boys using scuba equipment despite having no previous diving experience. Each boy was to be accompanied by two divers with the rescuers facing an 11-hour round trip.
18 days underground: the key events
Tuesday 10 July
After 18 days the final four boys and their coach were rescued from the cave to complete the three-day rescue operation. The last of the Wild Boars then followed their team-mates to hospital where they will be kept in isolation for up to seven days to avoid the risk of infection.
The final chapter of the extraordinary mission appears to have continued in the same successful vein as previous days with heavy overnight rain not affecting conditions in the cave.
Monday 9 July
Another four members of the Wild Boars were rescued as the mission resumed successfully. A larger team of divers and rescue workers managed to bring the boys out in a faster time than the previous day. All four were airlifted to hospital in the nearest city, Chiang Rai.
Conditions for continuing the rescue were said to still be good as the four remaining boys and their coach spent their 17th night in the cave.
Sunday 8 July
Four boys were recovered as the rescue operation was launched. Accompanied by divers, the first two emerged from the cave roughly 10 minutes apart. Two hours later another pair came out, again 1o minutes apart. All were taken immediately to hospital in the city of Chiang Rai.
Umbrellas shield a rescued boy as he is transferred to an ambulance
Authorities declined to name which boys had been rescued. Their parents said they were told the strongest would be taken out first.
The mission was said to have proceeded well ahead of schedule. Despite this, eight of the boys and their coach faced another night in the cave as rescuers paused to rest and prepare their equipment
The decision to launch the rescue came as water levels inside the cave drained to optimum conditions. A doctor with cave-diving experience earlier went into the chamber and approved the boys for the operation.
Saturday 7 July
Pumping had reduced water levels significantly but another deluge risked stranding the group for months. Concerns about the air quality inside the cave were also growing after the death of a rescue diver, Saman Kunan.
Authorities declared they had a three- to four-day window to free the group because rainfall was forecast to grow more intense, as seen in these visualisations of storm intensity and rainfall for the coming days.
Friday 6 July
A Thai former navy Seal, Saman Kunan, dies during an overnight mission to place oxygen canisters along the route. His own oxygen is believed to have run out, which starkly illustrated how dangerous any rescue involving diving apparatus could be.
Thursday 5 July
Rescuers install a water pump inside the cave
The authorities announce they have reduced the water levels in the first section of the cave by 40%. It is now possible to walk through up to chamber three from the entrance. The boys now have foil blankets, food, light and seven divers – including medics – to keep them company.
Wednesday 4 July
A medical team reports that the boys and coach are all in good health or have only “light” injuries.
The group had been underground for nine days when they were found
Monday 2 July
The 12 boys and their coach are found alive and safe about 400 metres further along from the elevated area known as Pattaya Beach, sheltering on a ledge surrounded by water, more than a mile from the main entrance. They say they are hungry and ask what day it is.
Sunday 1 July
Rescuers set up an operating base in a chamber about 700 metres into the cave complex. Hundreds of oxygen tanks and other supplies are brought in by pulley. Monk’s Junction, 1,500 metres from the entrance, is reached.
Saturday 30 June
Rescuers conduct practice drills to safely evacuate the boys if and when they are found.
Friday 29 June
The Thai prime minister visits the site and urges the rescuers not to give up hope.
Thursday 28 June
Rescuers install a water pump inside the cave
Water pumps are brought in to drain the rising flood water, which is so murky it is likened to swimming through coffee. British divers and others scour the mountain for alternative entrances. Drones are sent to help find new chimneys that reach down into the cave.
Wednesday 27 June
More than 30 US military personnel from the US Pacific Command arrive at the site, joined by three British diving experts.
Tuesday 26 June
Drainage of the cave begins to provide divers with breathing space between water and ceiling. Divers reach a T-junction far inside but are forced back by rushing flood waters that clog a narrow crevice near an elevated air pocket nicknamed Pattaya Beach. Thailand’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, calls for the nation to support the rescue.
Monday 25 June
Thai navy Seal divers enter the cave searching for the boys, carrying oxygen tanks and food. Makeshift shrines are set up for parents to pray and make offerings. Heavy rain continues. The boys are believed to have retreated further into the cave.
Sunday 24 June
Park officials and police begin a major search operation as heavy rain falls. They find handprints and footprints and believe the boys retreated into the tunnels as they became hemmed in by rising waters. Relatives keep vigil outside.
Saturday 23 June
Twelve boys and their coach go into the Tham Luang Nang Non cave network in the Doi Nang Non mountain range in northern Thailand after football practice. A search party finds bicycles locked to a fence and shoes and football boots belonging to the boys close to the entrance. A sign outside warns against entering the cave during the rainy season.
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