crown

Subscribe Now

FOLLOW US

Sign in

Photos: Parents desperate as time runs out for Thai footballers trapped in a cave

Heavy rain slowed rescue operations of 12 children and their coach who have been trapped for four days inside the Tham Luang cave in Thailand’s Chiang Rai province. Hundreds of people, Thai volunteers and military teams, including a navy SEAL unit are struggling through flood waters inside the cave in search of those missing. The relatives of the missing youngsters have been leading prayer ceremonies outside the cave for their safe return. Rescue workers have so far found some belongings raising hopes that the group may have fled deeper inside the cave.

Updated on: Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM IST

Share via

Copy link

1/12

A pair of soccer shoes next to the abandoned bicycles belonging to the missing football team is seen at the entrance of a deep cave in northern Thailand while rescue personnel conduct operations under floodlights, seen in the background. Twelve children and their coach have been missing for four days since they entered the sprawling Tham Luang cave Saturday afternoon, after a morning intra squad match nearby. (Thai News Pix / AP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

A pair of soccer shoes next to the abandoned bicycles belonging to the missing football team is seen at the entrance of a deep cave in northern Thailand while rescue personnel conduct operations under floodlights, seen in the background. Twelve children and their coach have been missing for four days since they entered the sprawling Tham Luang cave Saturday afternoon, after a morning intra squad match nearby. (Thai News Pix / AP)

2/12

Thai soldiers relay electric cable deep into the cave at Chiang Rai’s Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park during the rescue operation. Volunteers and military teams, including a navy SEAL unit, struggled through flood waters inside the cave on Wednesday in a search for the missing. (Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Thai soldiers relay electric cable deep into the cave at Chiang Rai’s Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park during the rescue operation. Volunteers and military teams, including a navy SEAL unit, struggled through flood waters inside the cave on Wednesday in a search for the missing. (Lillian Suwanrumpha / AFP)

3/12

A rescue personnel searches for alternate entrances into the cave. Workers took turns pumping water from inside the cave, which runs 10kms under a mountain of Chiang Rai, but persistent heavy rain was compounding difficulties. (Thailand Department of National Parks and Wildlife / AP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

A rescue personnel searches for alternate entrances into the cave. Workers took turns pumping water from inside the cave, which runs 10kms under a mountain of Chiang Rai, but persistent heavy rain was compounding difficulties. (Thailand Department of National Parks and Wildlife / AP)

4/12

Soldiers read a map near the cave during a search of the team along with their coach. The football team and their coach planned to explore the cave, even though it is known to be prone to flooding in the rainy season, and had taken flashlights and some food, according to messages they exchanged. (Chayut Setboonsarng / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Soldiers read a map near the cave during a search of the team along with their coach. The football team and their coach planned to explore the cave, even though it is known to be prone to flooding in the rainy season, and had taken flashlights and some food, according to messages they exchanged. (Chayut Setboonsarng / REUTERS)

5/12

A rescue worker walks in Tham Luang cave. Nothing has been heard of the missing people and no sign found yet, apart from some footprints and marks left by their muddy hands near the cave entrance. (Soe Zeya Tun / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

A rescue worker walks in Tham Luang cave. Nothing has been heard of the missing people and no sign found yet, apart from some footprints and marks left by their muddy hands near the cave entrance. (Soe Zeya Tun / REUTERS)

6/12

Soldiers rest during the rescue operation. Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said rescuers have identified three chimneys, or shafts, rising up from the roof of the cave to the open air on the mountain above and hoped to descend through one of them. (Soe Zeya Tun / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Soldiers rest during the rescue operation. Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said rescuers have identified three chimneys, or shafts, rising up from the roof of the cave to the open air on the mountain above and hoped to descend through one of them. (Soe Zeya Tun / REUTERS)

7/12

Distraught relatives of the teenaged members of the soccer team turned to prayers as caving enthusiasts helped military rescue teams on the third day of the search. (Sakchai Lalit / AP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Distraught relatives of the teenaged members of the soccer team turned to prayers as caving enthusiasts helped military rescue teams on the third day of the search. (Sakchai Lalit / AP)

8/12

Navy SEAL divers equipped with oxygen tanks and food rations entered the cave early Tuesday, as light rains continued to fall. (Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn / AFP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Navy SEAL divers equipped with oxygen tanks and food rations entered the cave early Tuesday, as light rains continued to fall. (Krit Phromsakla Na Sakolnakorn / AFP)

9/12

A Thai Buddhist monk prays as desperate parents led a prayer ceremony outside the flooded cave. Hundreds of people have been mobilised to find the youngsters who are trapped in Tham Luang cave when heavy rainfall flooded its main entrance. (Sakchai Lalit / AP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

A Thai Buddhist monk prays as desperate parents led a prayer ceremony outside the flooded cave. Hundreds of people have been mobilised to find the youngsters who are trapped in Tham Luang cave when heavy rainfall flooded its main entrance. (Sakchai Lalit / AP)

10/12

Anxious relatives camped out to perform traditional rituals, making offerings and reciting emotional prayers for their children’s return. Relatives placed fruits, desserts, sugary drinks and sweets on mats near the cave as offerings to the spirits which some believe protect the cave and the forest. (Chayut Setboonsarng / REUTERS)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Anxious relatives camped out to perform traditional rituals, making offerings and reciting emotional prayers for their children’s return. Relatives placed fruits, desserts, sugary drinks and sweets on mats near the cave as offerings to the spirits which some believe protect the cave and the forest. (Chayut Setboonsarng / REUTERS)

11/12

Relatives also performed a morning ritual in which they called out for those missing. They played drums and gongs and two relatives held fishing nets as a symbolic way to fish out lost spirits from the cave. (Tassanee Vejpongsa / AP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Relatives also performed a morning ritual in which they called out for those missing. They played drums and gongs and two relatives held fishing nets as a symbolic way to fish out lost spirits from the cave. (Tassanee Vejpongsa / AP)

12/12

Rescue workers have found some of the boys’ belongings farther inside the cave, raising hopes that they may have fled still deeper inside to get away from the water. Even if they are found, though, officials have cautioned that getting them to safety could take time. (Tassanee Vejpongsa / AP)

Updated on Jun 27, 2018 2:37 PM

Rescue workers have found some of the boys’ belongings farther inside the cave, raising hopes that they may have fled still deeper inside to get away from the water. Even if they are found, though, officials have cautioned that getting them to safety could take time. (Tassanee Vejpongsa / AP)

Related Photos

Home/Photos/News/Photos: Parents Desperate As Time Runs Out For Thai Footballers Trapped In A Cave

© 2026 HindustanTimes