Thai boys stuck in cave: What we know so far

Where the group went missing?

The group of twelve young boys aged between 11 to 16 of a local junior football team named the "Wild Boards" went missing in Tham Luang located beneath the Doi Nang Non mountain on the border between Thailand and Myanmar. The system is 10 kilometres long and is one of the most difficult cave systems to navigate due to the narrow passages and winding tunnels.

How the group went missing?

The group - "Wild Boards" -- on June 23 went missing after they went toexplore the cave. They were accompanied by their 25-year-old coach.

However, due to sudden heavy rain, they entered the cave and tried to take shelter in the Tham Luang cave but got stranded in the dark tunnels.

Who noticed them first?

They were noticed by the Department of National Parks rangers after seeing their unclaimed belongings at the cave entrance. The rangers then alerted the authorities.

Initial search

The initial searches were carried out by military divers who were hampereddue to the continuous heavy downpours leading to the cavegetting flooded.

After four days the Thai Navy SEALs were joined by a group of 30 personnel of the United States Pacific Command and British cave diving rescue experts Richard Stanton, John Volanthen and Robert Harper.

Policemen with sniffer dogs also searched for shaft openings throughout the range looking for alternative entrances to the cave.

The rescue team had hoped to find the "Wild Boar" team on an elevated ledge dubbed "Pattaya beach".

But the boys had retreated 300-400 metres further as the ledge was submerged, Narongsak added.An international search effort has gone on since the group went missing inside the Tham Luang cave.

The divers from a Thai navy SEAL unit were within 500 meters of a chamber containing an elevated rock mound, nicknamed "Pattaya Beach" by cavers, which could have provided the boys with a refuge when rains flooded the cave, blocking the way out.

The ledge where they were found is about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the cave's mouth.

Thai navy releases a video

A video of the encounter, showing the boys and their interactions with the divers, was posted on Facebook by the Thai Navy SEALs. In the video, the dazed boys appear to be unaware of how long they had been trapped deep underground when they asked the divers what day it was.

Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn announced the development, stating "We found them safe. But the operation isn't over."

What did they eat?

The challenge ahead

The Tham Luang cave complex is prone to regular flooding especially during the rainy months.

The meteorological services have also warned of fresh heavy rain next week which could hamper rescue work as monsoon is approaching.

The rescue team is hoping to remove boys before monsoon rains begin as the cave in which they are trapped could get flooded.

If such a situation occurs then it would be even more difficult for the boys to survive as the flood situation would cut them off from the entrance meaning the rescue team would be unable to send supplies or have any communication with the outside world.

Efforts so far

Divers, medics, counsellors and Thai Navy SEALS are also with them providing medicines and food while experts assessed conditions for getting them out safely, a task the government said would not be easy.

The rescue team is also discussing how to put the boys indive gear and escort them out of the cave by navy divers but the risks persistdue to the heavy rain.

The rescue team is also giving crash courses in swimming and diving to the group.

However, more options are being explored to pump water out from the case.