Diver dies in operation to rescue young footballers in northern Thailand
Thai soldiers are seen at the Tham Luang cave area as operations continue for the 12 boys and their coach trapped at the cave in Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province on July 6, 2018.
Thai authorities said on Friday that a former navy SEAL diver working to rescue 12 boy footballers and their coach trapped in a cave has died from lack of oxygen.
SEAL commander Arpakorn Yookongkaew told a news briefing that the rescuer was sending oxygen cylinders inside the cave before he was found unconscious. He was then moved to Chamber 3, a command center set inside the cave and found dead early Friday.
He died due to lack of oxygen when attempting to return to a command center.
The man is a retired Navy Petty Officer 1st Class who volunteered to join the operation, according to reports.
