Eight boys have now been freed, while four remain inside the flooded Tham Luang Nang Non cave complex with their coach. They face their 17th night trapped on a ledge 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) inside the cave system.

Their rescued teammates are being treated in quarantine at Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital. Former Chiang Rai governor and rescue mission commander Narongsak Osotthanakorn said Sunday night that doctors were monitoring the rescued boys for any illnesses they may have picked up in the cave and supervising efforts to build up their strength after they spent more than two weeks with little food and no natural light.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was visiting the hospital Monday evening after speaking with the families, who are all still gathered near the cave entrance.

Speaking Monday evening, Osotthanakorn said those rescued Monday were in better condition than those freed the previous day, adding that all the boys rescued are well. Osotthanakorn’s statement could indicate the rescuers opted to send the weaker ones out first, a reversal of the previously announced strategy.

The rescue workers are using compressed air tanks and oxygen tanks. They are now resting and need at least 20 hours to prepare for the third operation, Osotthanakorn said, but timings could change depending on weather and water levels. Monday’s rescue was carried out four to five hours ahead of schedule due to favorable conditions, he said.
How a lack of oxygen is affecting the Thai soccer team
Officials said late Sunday that the operation had been paused to allow oxygen tanks depleted during the first phase to be refilled. It is unclear whether that was also a determining factor in suspending operations Monday.

Btw-as of this morning 8 boys have now been rescued – the rescue team is indeed acting with a sense of urgency.

I’ve been praying and I’ll keep praying that they all make it our safely.