The governor of the Chiang Rai province, who heads the rescue operation said this was a last resort option, however, it is unlikely to be conducted on Saturday, ABC news service reported.
"Not today because they cannot dive at this time," Narongsak Osotthanakorn said, adding the boys were still practicing using diving equipment.
Instead of drilling from above the boys’ heads and pull them up through the hole, why not drill from lower elevation up into the lowest level of the water in the cave? Drain water through drill holes and kids can exit the way they entered. 🙏🏻 @elonmusk @JamesWorldSpace pic.twitter.com/eqaXxmEmaL
— Tara Dimech Hyder (@TaraHyder) 6 июля 2018 г.
Accroding to AFP, more than 100 chimneys are being drilled into the mountain in a bid to reach children trapped in a massive cave complex below.
"Some (of the chimneys) are as deep as 400 metres… but they still cannot find their location yet," Narongsak Osottanakorn was quoted as saying by AFP, adding that the rescue mission lacked the technology "to pinpoint where they are staying". "We estimate that (they) are 600 metres down, but we don't know the (exact) target," he stressed.
However, Osottanakorn has stressed that the rescuers had managed to establish a line to pump in fresh air and had also withdrawn non-essential workers from chamber, where the rescue base located, AFP reported.
"Video shows how the British divers went to the caves to save the Thai football team youngsters… 🙏🙏🙏"
— Nazrul Azizi (@Nazrulazizi) 7 июля 2018 г.
(Diver): “You have been here 10 days… You are very strong. Very strong”#ThaiCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/xVIJouwV0G
Underlining the perils they face, an experienced Thai Navy SEAL diver died late on Thursday after running out of oxygen and losing consciousness on his way back from a mission to deliver oxygen canisters.
Authorities initially suggested waiting until the end of the rainy season in fall but rescuers now warn of a dwindling lack of oxygen and upcoming monsoonal rains flooding the cave. The third option being explored now is drilling a shaft through the mountain where the cave is located.
WATCH Thai engineers begin drilling into side of cave complex to drain water #thamluangcave #thamluang #ถ้ำหลวง pic.twitter.com/lYrMVOK80C
— Howard Johnson (@Howardrjohnson) 28 июня 2018 г.
