Thai cave rescue: Ex-Navy Seal diver dies attempting to rescue soccer boys trapped

A former Thai military Seal named Saman Kunont who volunteered to rescue 12 young soccer players and their coach trapped in waterlogged Tham Luang cave and died on Friday. Kunont's death has raised concerns over the safety measures being taken to take out the group from the same route.

The 12 young soccer players are aged 11 to 16 and naive swimmers and definitely have no diving experience.

Chiang Rai deputy governor Passakorn Boonyaluck said reporters, "A former Seal who volunteered to help died last night about 2am."Rai also shared that while the diver was on his way back he lost consciousness.

Thai Seal commander Apakorn Yookongkaew said, "We lost one man, but we still have faith to carry out our work."
When asked the Seal commander how they would manage to rescue the boys, when an experienced diver could not he said, "Would take more precautions with the children."

The diver was on a mission of bringing oxygen tanks and carrying lines along the passageways where the children and coach are sheltering. This took him nearly 11 hours round trip.

Another diver from Israeli Rafael Aroush said, "It's very risky (diving out). Think about it, a Navy Seal just passed away last night, so how about a 12-year-old kid." Diver's body has been sent to the hospital for an autopsy to know the reason for the death. Death of the diver has flooded social media with messages of prayers for the soccer team stuck inside.

The team have been receiving basic training in breathing and managing diving equipment in case the order to evacuate is given.

But authorities are reluctant to allow them to 'dive out' of the cave, given the extreme risks.

Other options under consideration are waiting out the monsoon which could take months.

Also Read:Watch Video: Thai soccer players in good health as they await rescue