Thailand cave system rescue operation has begun, but officials warn it could take days

The rescue began first thing Sunday morning.

Local authorities in Thailand have confirmed that the rescue operation has begun in the northern cave system. 12 boys and their football coach have been trapped inside the cave since 23 June, after the ventured into the cave system to escape heavy rainfall and then became trapped by rising waters. They have since spent the last 15 days being located by local authorities, who today are sending in 18 divers to bring them out. The Guardian are reporting that the water levels have dropped significantly since Saturday and that officials have not commented on whether the boys will need to dive out of the caves, but they have confirmed that the water levels have dropped enough that the majority of the cave system was now walkable. The boys' families have been informed of the rescue operation and have all agreed to it, and while the boys are to be rescued one-at-a-time, the first boy could be freed from the cave by 9pm local time on Sunday evening (around 3pm GMT). All media and non-emergency personnel have been cleared from the site, so all updates will be reported by local authorities from this point on. More to follow.