The story about the rescue from the Great Cave of the Sleeping Lady – The Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand is truly the stuff of fiction – fiction of Yann Martell-esque (Life of Pi) proportions. Operations that ranged over weeks, involved several countries and about a thousand rescuers finally culminated in an extraordinary rescue of 12 boys and their coach from Thailand's Chiang Rai Province.
The 12 boys who are members of the local football team and their adult coach went missing on 23rd June. Heavy rains flooded the entrance to the cave, preventing exit and forcing the group further and further into the cave. For one week, there was no contact with the group. Agencies from around the world got involved and two British divers, struggling through dangerously narrow, muddy channels finally discovered the group about 3.2km from the mouth of the cave.
Thai Navy SEALs and volunteers and technical assistance teams from multiple countries pondered on how to rescue the trapped boys and their coach. The rescuers contemplated waiting for the water to recede before attempting rescue, however the weather forecast of torrential rain on 11 July decided things. Tons of water was pumped out of the cave. Then over 8 to 10th July, all the trapped boys and their coach were rescued.
Tragically, Thai SEAL Saman Kunan lost his life from asphyxiation during the rescue. Ironically this happened as he was squeezing his way through the narrow passageway when returning after delivering supplies of air to the interior of the cave.
The seemingly hopeless situation seemed to have brought out the best in everyone. Agencies from different countries and a thousand individuals all worked together single-mindedly over many days to pull off a daring and seemingly impossible rescue operation.
People from all over the world were praying and hoping: first that the boys would be found and later that the rescuers would find ways to get them all out safely. People have expressed their admiration, amazement and their thanks in one voice over social media.
As a part of the rescue efforts, 130 million litres of water was pumped out of the cave and all this happened to get dumped into this woman's paddy fields. One would hope that she is reimbursed for her loss.
In this case, it literally did! Given the seeming hopelessness, the complexity and the dangers involved, it is rather incredible that all of the 13 trapped people were rescued. Many are certain that a film based on this story is already taking shape in someone’s imagination.
Aside of the tragic loss of life of Saman Kunan, this was a tremendous achievement and a feel good story that the world cheered for! As one tweet said, all superheroes don’t wear capes, some wear scuba gear. People were happy, relieved, thankful and just full of admiration for the divers, met experts, cave experts, doctors and others who dedicated themselves to the rescue efforts.
The team of boys and their coach has been invited for the FIFA finals but are unlikely to attend since they will still need time to recover from their ordeal. For many, this team has already won – the only football team that really matters!
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