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Coach took boys into Thai cave as 'initiation ritual'

The coach of a youth soccer team who led them into a flooded cave in Thailand reportedly did it as part of an initiation ritual, according to a rescuer.

The 12 boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach went missing when flooding trapped them after entering the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai province on June 23. The group were found alive on Tuesday by Thai navy SEAL divers and international rescue workers including cave divers.

One of the rescue divers Ben Reymenants told Sky News he believes the boys were in the cave as part of an initiation.

He added the boys had left their backpacks and shoes, and believes the boys waded in and tried to make it to the end of the tunnel, “sort of like an initiation for local young boys to write your name on the wall and make it back”.

The 12 boys trapped in the Thai cave. Source: AAP
The 12 boys trapped in the Thai cave. Source: AAP

Mr Reymenants said the journey into the cave “was very taxing” for the boys and the search for them was “one of the most extreme cave dives” he’s done.

Police have refused to answer questions on whether the 25-year-old coach should be charged for leading the children into the cave, the Khaosod English paper reports.

Lawyer Ananchai Chaiyadech said it’s likely the coach will escape charges as it appeared he didn’t have intent to put the boys in danger as it hadn’t started raining when he led them inside.

Swim or wait? Options to get the boys out

Rescuers are still trying to determine how to get the boys out of the cave.

Map showing the cave system in Thailand where 12 children have been trapped with their football coach since June 23. Source: AFP
Map showing the cave system in Thailand where 12 children have been trapped with their football coach since June 23. Source: AFP

Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osatanakorn said on Tuesday morning that a navy SEAL team will make the final call on the evacuation method. He said one method being considered is for the group to be coached to swim using special breathing masks.

He said other efforts will continue, such as draining water from the cave and exploring the mountainside for shafts and other entrances to the caverns below.

Experts have said the safest option could be to supply the 12 boys and their coach where they are and wait for the water levels to drop.

The boys’ bikes found in one part of the cave. Source: AAP
The boys’ bikes found in one part of the cave. Source: AAP