The last five people trapped inside the flooded Thai cave had been rescued on Tuesday afternoon after spending 18 distressing days and accomplishing an astonishing rescue mission that held the attention of the whole world.
The mud shelf where the boys had been taking shelter was more than four kilometers inside the cave and the complex tunnels leading to them were filled with water. With the oxygen level in the cave dropping to dangerous lows, the rescuers had no option but to escort the boys through the tunnels.
The Thai Navy SEALs had announced the success of the mission, on Tuesday, through a Facebook post saying "Operation the world will never forget. 'Operation Bring Wild Boars Home' has been completed last night. Appreciate great helps from all teams – divers from all over the world, medic teams, several ex-SEALs, supporting teams, Kruba Boonchum and other spiritual teams, great kitchen team, oxygen refueling team, water management team, electricity team, mountain climbing team, all genitors, Mae Sai people, and people from all corners of the world. Today the united force of humanity is at work. The world will never forget this rescue mission – Operation Bring Wild Boars Home".
US President Donald Trump also had congratulated the rescuers in a tweet, posting, "On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the Thai Navy SEALs and all on the successful rescue of the 12 boys and their coach from the treacherous cave in Thailand. Such a beautiful moment – all freed, great job!"
The incidents also attracted the attention of various personalities worldwide such as UK Prime Minister Theresa May, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and football star Lionel Messi among others.
Medical chiefs who examined the boys as soon as they had been rescued have reported that the boys are in relatively good mental and physical health.
Several experts have called for mental health and psychological trauma inspection of the boys, considering they spent such a long time trapped without any guarantee of rescue.
Featured Image: NPR