The international divers and Thai Navy SEAL frogmen who were involved in the high-risk operation to bring all the 13 survivors out of Tham Luang cave were given a resounding applause and cheers by hundreds of officials and volunteers after they emerged from the cave at about 7.10 pm.

The last five survivors, including the football coach, were safely brought out of the cave and sent to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospital earlier.

“We are not sure if this is a miracle, a science or what.  All the thirteen Wild Boars are now out of the cave,” was a message posted on the Thai Navy SEAL’s Facebook page.

Chief of the rescue operation Narongsak Osotthanakaorn told a news conference later that the four SEAL members who had been keeping the 13 suvivors company since they were discovered by a team of British divers a week ago were the last to emerge from the cave.  They include Dr Park Loharnchun, a medical doctor who has trained as a SEAL member and who has become a celebrity for his  role.  The news was also greeted with a loud applause from journalists and volunteers.

Narongsak expressed his gratitude for all the divers and volunteers who joined in the rescue mission which he described as a historical event unprecedented in the world.