Thai Cave Rescue: 4 Rescued, 9 To Go

It has been 16 days since the boys, ages 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach became stranded when they went exploring in Tham Luang caves in northern Thailand after football practice. Monsoon flooding blocked off their escape and prevented rescuers from finding them all these days.

Four people were rescued on Sunday from the flooded cave. The team of divers is expected to resume the mission today to rescue the remaining eight boys and their soccer coach.

The four who were rescued were taken to a hospital in Chiang Rai for evaluation. Two divers were assigned to each child to help them navigate the dangerous, narrow passageways.

On Friday, the death of a former Thai navy SEAL underscored the risks. The diver, the first fatality of the rescue effort, was working in a volunteer capacity and died on a mission to place oxygen canisters along the route.

Heavy rain started falling as soon as the four were removed from the cave. Chiang Rai acting Gov. Narongsak Osottanakorn said experts told him the new rain could shrink the unflooded space where the boys are sheltering to 108 square feet.

As per officials the same divers who took part in Sunday's rescue of four boys trapped in a flooded cave will also conduct the next operation as they know the cave conditions and what to do.