Thai cave rescue a logistics nightmare

Rescuers have had to navigate 4km of narrow, flooded passageways in the dark and bring out people with no diving experience.

Rescue crews ready themselves to go back into the cave.

Rescue crews ready themselves to go back into the cave. Source: AAP

THAILAND CAVE RESCUE BY THE NUMBERS:

* 12 boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach entered the Tham Luan Nang Non cave on June 23.

* It was 10 days before they were found.

* To escape, they have to negotiate 4km of dark, narrow passages by swimming and using scuba equipment and wading.

* It's an 11-hour round trip to get in and out.

* Divers need 20 hours to lay air tanks and prepare the route.

* So far there's been 1 fatality - former Thai navy Seal Saman Kunan died while placing air tanks along the route.

* There are 18 divers, five Thai and 13 foreigners, including Australians taking part in the delicate operation.

* The number of Australians helping with the rescue operation varies depending on rotations, but up to 19 are involved.

* The group includes six Australian Federal Police divers supporting the Thai Navy, together with a liaison officer and interpreter and Dr Richard Harris, a specialist in hyperbaric medicine.

* A 100-strong support team is pumping out litres of water to stop more flooding in the caves.

* 4 boys were taken out on Sunday in 11 hours.

* 4 boys were taken out on Monday in 9 hours.


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Source: AAP



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