The young football team at the centre of an extremely delicate and fraught rescue operation in northern Thailand will remain in the cave they are trapped in for at least another 24 hours.
Chiang Rai province governor Narongsak Osatanakorn confirmed the news in a press conference that was delayed by more than five hours, saying that while a "plan is in place" there won't be any attempts to free the boys until it is tested.
"We need to know which plan is best," governor Osatanakorn told reporters.
"We need to minimise risk."
A press conference was initially called for 6.30pm Friday night close to the entrance to the Tham Luang cave complex, where the boys - aged 11-16 - and their coach are trapped.
There were reports a major announcement was to be made by Thailand's interior minister, leading to renewed hope the boys would be rescued overnight. However, the minister ultimately met with officials but did not address the media or make an announcement. Governor Ostanakorn instead gave an update at midnight.
Ready but not ready yet
Hundreds of rescuers with equipment continue the rescue operation at the Tham Luang Nang Non cave on July 06, 2018. Source: Getty
He initially said the boys were "ready to go" but then later backtracked by saying they were "not ready to dive".
When asked by SBS whether the weather remained a concern, Governor Ostanakorn said the biggest fear was surrounding heavy rains forecast for the next three days.
"If it rains heavily, they will try and bring them out,” he said before confirming there will be no rescue attempt today.
The group was discovered on July 2 after 10 days totally cut off from the outside world. Source: AAP
Drills and pumps
Divers have also drilled 18 holes into the cave as part of efforts to see if an alternative route can be created, but officials said that has not proven fruitful thus far. Cables that have been set up in the complex cave system, though, are said to be working well.
Oxygen levels have dropped significantly inside the Tham Luang cave due to the high volume of rescuers passing through. 30 air tanks were pumped inside on Friday to ensure the boys had enough air.
Water continues to be pumped out of the cave at around 1.5 centimetres an hour. More than 140 million litres have already been pumped out, to lower water levels in the hope that perhaps those trapped inside could slowly crawl their way out.
A major setback
Saman Kunan. Source: Facebook
38-year-old Saman Gunan has been hailed as a hero for his efforts, with Thailand's Prime Minister promising that he did not die in vain.
The waiting game in Chiang Rai continues.
