Rescue site to become a museum

MAE SAI • Rescuers who pulled a young Thai football team from inside the flooded Tham Luang cave were dismantling their work site yesterday, as plans emerged to turn the spot into a museum in tribute to the operation.

Rescue chief Narongsak Osotthanakorn said the site would ultimately be converted into a museum showcasing the clothes and equipment used in the dramatic rescue."I believe it will become another highlight in Thailand," he said. "Tourists will come visit."

Water level surged at final stage

CHIANG RAI • The water pumps failed, and Commander Chaiyananta Peeranarong heard shouts of alarm as the final stage of an unprecedented operation to rescue 12 boys and their coach from a flooded cave almost tipped into disaster.

Shortly after the last four boys and the coach were brought out late on Tuesday afternoon, the water pumps failed in an area between two chambers, filling them with water as 20 rescuers who did not have diving gear remained inside, said the former navy Seal, 60.

"By the time the last diver was out, the water was already at head level, almost to the point where he needed an oxygen tank," he said.

Boys were sedated during rescue

CHIANG RAI • The 12 boys were sedated and passed on stretchers along the twisting, narrow passageways of the Tham Luang complex, a rescuer said on Wednesday as the first footage emerged of the daring operation.

The video was released by the authorities who had until late on Wednesday closely guarded details of the operation. "Some of them were asleep, some of them were wiggling their fingers... (as if) groggy, but they were breathing," said Commander Chaiyananta Peeranarong. He added that the "boys were wrapped up in stretchers already when they were being transferred" and were monitored at regular intervals by doctors along the route.

He did not say if the coach was able to dive and walk out unaided.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE