Thai cave: Rescued boys in good mental state, say officials
The first eight boys rescued from a Thai cave are in good mental and physical health and are asking for chocolate, officials said today, although two were on antibiotics after being tested for pneumonia. The boys, aged 12-16, were the first to be extracted on Sunday and Monday, while the final four and their coach spent a 17th night inside. Here's more.
Experts had warned of psychological trauma
"Everyone is in a good mental state," Jesada Chokedamrongsuk, Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry, told reporters at Chiang Rai Hospital in Thailand's Mae Sai district. He added that none of the eight boys has a fever today. Experts had warned of possible long-lasting damage from the ordeal, either through psychological trauma or infections caught in the cave.
Results of X-rays, blood tests yet to come
Jesada said the group had been given X-rays and blood tests, adding that two boys presented suspected symptoms of pneumonia but were given antibiotics and were "in a normal state". He said the group can eat, move about, and talk. "The boys will have to stay in the hospital for one week to wait for their results...to see if anything changes," he said.
Rescuers doing their best to extract the remaining ones
The boys remain in quarantine but some of their parents have been able to see their children through the glass. Thailand has been riveted by the rescue mission to save the "Wild Boars" team after they first got trapped in Tham Luang over two-weeks ago. Rescuers are racing to extract the rest of the squad and their coach as heavy rains pick back up.
