The Latest: Divers re-enter Thai cave to search for 12 boys

Jun 26, 2018

About a dozen navy SEAL divers and other rescuers have re-entered a cave in northern Thailand to search for 12 boys and their soccer coach who've been stranded three nights by flooding

MAE SAI, Thailand — The Latest on a search for 12 boys and their soccer coach in a cave in northern Thailand (all times local):

8:30 a.m.

About a dozen navy SEAL divers and other rescuers have re-entered a cave in northern Thailand to search for 12 boys and their soccer coach who've been stranded three nights by flooding.

Even though rain has been falling in the area since Monday night, the first two chambers inside the cave were dry. A power line was extended into the cave overnight to provide light and ventilation and help divers communicate with those outside.

Navy Lt. Naponwath Homsai said Tuesday morning that divers will enter the water after they reach the third chamber, which was flooded almost to its ceiling on Monday. "We hope that the water level has gone down, but we will have to see."

The sprawling cave extends several kilometers with chambers and passageways that change elevation, and officials have said they are hopeful the boys found a safe space away from the floods.

___

7:20 a.m.

Electricians are extending a power line into a flooded cave in northern Thailand to help the search and rescue efforts for 12 boys and their soccer coach stranded three nights in the sprawling caverns and cut off by rising water.

Rescuers led by elite navy divers were forced to suspend their search Monday night due to flooding but were to resume Tuesday.

The boys, aged 11-15, and their coach were believed to have entered the cave in Chiang Rai province late Saturday afternoon.

Officials said pouring rain flooded parts of the cave with at least 5 meters (16 feet) of water but they believe the boys are alive.

Officials said the power line would provide lights and ventilation for the rescuers and could help pump out water.

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