Earlier billionaire Elon Musk has offered to help to rescue the children who are trapped in Tham Luang cave. And now Elon just dropped off a miniature submarine he hoped might help with the ongoing rescue operation of the Wild Boar soccer team. Twelve member of the team and a coach became trapped on June 23, although rescuers managed to free the first eight boys on Sunday and Monday.
However, Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said this afternoon that while he was grateful for Mr Musk’s support, the submarine just was not practical for the rescue mission. Earlier, Mr Musk said he would leave the device at the cave “in case it may be useful in future”.
In a tweet, Mr Musk said he had “just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. “Thailand is beautiful”, he added. Four boys and a coach still to be rescued. Sunday and Monday’s rescue missions took between nine and 11 hours respectively.
Just returned from Cave 3. Mini-sub is ready if needed. It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids’ soccer team. Leaving here in case it may be useful in the future. Thailand is so beautiful. pic.twitter.com/EHNh8ydaTT
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 9, 2018
The escape route is challenge for even experienced divers. The boys have no previous diving experience so the rescuers have been training them how to use a mask and breathe underwater via an oxygen tank.
One fear has been that they may panic while trying to swim underwater, even with a diver escorting them.
Although there have been no major reported complications during the initial rescues, the death of a former Thai Navy SEAL diver who ran out of oxygen in a flooded area of the cave on Friday underscored the dangers of the journey.
Meanwhile, family and friends of the stricken group continued to dream of being reunited.
“I want him to be healthy and come back to study quickly,” Phansa Namyee, classmate of 16-year-old footballer Night said.
“I want to go play with them… take him to some restaurants and spend time together.”- Input Agencies