A soccer team and their coach who are trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand have garnered international attention as rescuers work to save them.
» RELATED: Trapped in Thai cave, youngsters not well enough to escape
The group of men disappeared at the end of June and were found alive earlier this week. Although they’ve been discovered, rescue efforts have been challenging as weather and dangerous pathways complicate the operation.
Want to learn more about the rescue? Here are five things you should know.
Who is trapped?
Twelve young boys on the Wild Boars soccer team, aged 11 to 16, and their coach Ekapol Chanthawong, 25, disappeared after they entered the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai to go exploring.
The boys and their coach are known to be a tight-knit group who go on adventures, including swimming in waterfalls, cycling trips through the mountains, river rafting and cave exploring, the Associated Press reported.
How did they get trapped?
On June 23, they disappeared when flooding trapped them, according to AP. Thai navy SEAL divers discovered the team alive 10 days later on July 2 after they had been totally cut off from the outside world.
» RELATED: Thai rescuers find missing boys and coach alive in cave
What condition is the team in?
Video taken inside the cave on July 2 showed the boys and their coach interacting with the rescuers, who were sent to supply them, provide medical care and keep them company, according to AP.
The group is visibly skinny and weak. However, the boys and their coach appeared to be in good spirits.
Why is the rescue operation taking so long?
The only way out of the cave at this time would be for the boys to dive through the same route they entered, which includes narrow passageways that are extremely dangerous, AP said. However, rescuers are considering this route, because oncoming storms could worsen the floods.
Furthermore, oxygen levels have dropped 15 percent, which could cause hypoxia. A diver, identified as former Sgt. Saman Kunan, died due to a lack of air during his return to a command center, according to Chiang Rai Deputy Governor Passakorn Boonyalak.
» RELATED: Live updates: 4 boys evacuated from Thai cave in mission to save soccer team, coach
How long can the team survive in the conditions?
Although officials initially thought the team could remain trapped for up to four months until waters lowered, the dropped oxygen levels have caused them to reconsider, CNN said. Rescuers did not say how long those trapped could survive with current levels.
Has anyone been rescued?
By July 10, all 12 boys and the coach had been rescued from the cave. The boys were wearing full face masks and are now being examined by doctors.
» RELATED: Oxygen levels drop in Thai cave where teens are trapped
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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