Twelve teenage footballers and their coach rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand will be released from hospital on 19 July after taking necessary tests, said Thai Health Minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn.

‘Wild Boar’ team members at Chiang Rai hospital (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The ‘Wild Boar’ team members, aged between 11 and 16 years, and their 25-year-old coach went into the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand on 23 June and became trapped as floodwaters poured into.

A team of 90 divers, including 50 from foreign countries, participated in the rescue efforts which ended successfully on July 10, with all the members and their coach brought out safely from the cave. However, a former navy SEAL, Saman Kunan, died on 6 July while replenishing air tanks inside the cave.

All 13 Wild Boars are in good physical health and good spirits, the minister told reporters on 14 July.

He added that it is necessary to well prepare for them and their families on important things while sending them home.

Earlier, a Thai official also revealed that the majority of the boys lost weight, but they are in good health conditions without any signs of stress.

They have been served with soft meals and wore sunglasses as they were on the dark for more than two weeks.

(Source:VNA)