Thai authorities evacuate area near cave with trapped junior football team for rescue operation

Authorities in Thailand have urged those not involved in the operation to rescue the junior football team and their coach stranded in a flooded cave to leave the area. “Assessing the situation now, it is necessary to evacuate the area for the rescue operation,” police commander Komsan Sa-ardluan told members of the press gathered near the cave to follow the dramatic rescue. Unpredictable monsoon weather could mean new rains are coming soon, which would further flood the cavern where 12 boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach spent the last fortnight. Narongsak Osottanakorn, a former governor in charge of the rescue operation, believes the “ideal time” for a rescue would be within the next two or three days. It is unclear whether the Thai authorities are taking US entrepreneur Elon Musk up on his suggestion to use a “kid-sized submarine” to ship the squad out.