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Relief and joy spread throughout Thailand as all members of the 'Wild Boars' football team have been rescued, after having been trapped inside a cave since 23 June
The 12 boys and their coach were making headlines around the world, as rescue divers worked tirelessly to retrieve them for more than two weeks.
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Here's how the rescue operation went down:
1. 10 days passed before divers found the kids located about 3km from the entrance of the cave
Authorities worked together to drain as much water as possible from the cave, in order for divers to have breathing space between the water and the ceiling.
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2. The first km of the journey was the most dangerous, during which they were required to squeeze through a narrow flooded channel
Image via British Cave Rescue Council
Image via Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters
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3. Once they completed the first section, the boys were then handed over to a different team of rescuers, who helped them wade through rest of the cave
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Relatives remained hopeful outside praying and anticipating the return of their sons, 28 June.
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4. After an intense nine-hour journey, the first four boys emerged from the cave on 8 July, wearing full-faced diving masks
The waterproof masks allowed the boys to breathe through their nose and mouth underwater.
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5. In between missions, the divers needed to replenish air tanks along the route to prepare for the next rescue phase
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The second batch of four boys were rescued the following day, 9 July.
6. Over the course of three days, all boys and their coach were safely removed from the cave and are currently recovering well
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"We don't know if this is a miracle, science, or what. All 13 'Wild Boars' are now out of the cave," wrote the Thai Navy SEALS in a statement posted on Facebook, adding that, "All are safe."
The remaining five members were said to have come out on stretchers on 10 July and taken by helicopter to the hospital, reported Free Malaysia Today.
