World

As it happened: Eighth boy rescued from Thai cave

23:39 pm on 9 July 2018

While four of the boys trapped inside a cave in northern Thailand have been brought out, the mission to rescue the remaining eight boys and their coach continues. Follow our live blog for the latest updates.

What we know so far:

  • The sixth and seventh boys have been rescued
  • Rescue workers have carried a first person to ambulance from Thai cave according to a Reuters witness
  • The second rescue attempt begun at 4pm NZT on Monday
  • The boys and their coach were exploring the cave on 23 June when they were cut off by water
  • Four boys have been brought to safety above ground and are in good health
  • The rescued boys were escorted out by 13 foreign divers and five members of Thailand's elite navy SEAL unit
  • Eight boys and their coach are still to be rescued
  • Doctors who assessed the boys on Saturday decided on a priority list, sending the weakest out first
  • The trip out is in complete darkness following guide ropes and includes a mixture of walking, wading, climbing and diving
  • The toughest section, halfway out, is so tight divers have to take off their air tanks to get through
  • The operation paused overnight as oxygen levels in the cave depleted