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Four Boys Rescued From Thailand Cave Arrive At Hospital; Thai Cave Rescue Mission Completed For The Day; Heavy Rains Near Cave Entrance. Aired 11-12n ET
Aired July 08, 2018 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:00:00] BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: And you're watching our special coverage of the dramatic Thailand cave rescue operation. I'm
Becky Anderson for you. Officials preparing for the next phase rescue effort after four of 12 boys were successfully evacuated from a cave in
Chiang Rai in Thailand. They all arrived safely at the hospital a short time ago. Rescue efforts are now over for the day. It's 10:00 p.m.
locally as the divers rest up and begin again in the morning. Earlier we heard from the Chiang Rai governor who was happy with the day's operations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NARONGSAK OSOTTANAKORN, GOVERNOR, THAILAND (through translator): It was a very smooth operation today. I am very grateful for everyone in both all
of the teams. Actually, the operation today went quicker than when we rehearsed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Fascinating. Officials are racing against this time in whether the save the rest of the football team and their coach. They have been
trapped for two weeks now. And CNN's David McKenzie is near the cave site in Northern Thailand. David, it is pouring with rain where you are. Just
first on those kids that are out already as the governor pointed out. This mission went much quicker than they had anticipated. Good news for these
first four youngsters.
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's night, Becky. It is good news because what they have to go through was hellish indeed because they
were being dragged, pulled, pushed though those narrow tunnels in zero visibility by these expert divers. Still, the whole rescue effort took
several hours indeed. They were taken out of that very hazardous early section into the chamber three. We've been talking and handed off to a
second team of rescuers out of the entrance of that cave on the slopes of the mountain near where I'm standing and then into ambulances and in one
case a helicopter, we believe to the nearby hospital. We don't know exactly what their status is health-wise but there was a sense of
confidence and optimism from the commander of this operation, the governor here in this area of Thailand. But as you said, the rain is pouring down
and that is a major factor that we've been talking about for days now on the story. They were lucky for several days but the gap in the weather but
they were wanting to finish this as quickly as they can but they did it methodically. Four boys are out today, regroup, get the oxygen tanks
refilled, let those specialist divers rest and on then on again tomorrow with this extraordinary rescue.
ANDERSON: Yes, they brought these kids out two by two at around 5:40 p.m. local time. As we said, it's now 10:00 p.m. And you rightly point out,
these divers now need a rest. This evacuation is over for the day. The officials, the governor said they will reorganize and hope for conditions
to be as stable as they would today and then execute on a strategy tomorrow. The problem is as you rightly point out, things aren't as stable
as they were earlier on today, are they?
MCKENZIE: Well, no, and it all depends though just to be completely transparent about the way this works. Of course, the rain is raining on my
head right now. This rain is patchy. So it could dump a lot in this area, maybe it will stop overnight. So it might not affect the operation as one
fears but it is certainly a significant factor and it could pose a significant risk to those boys. The cave system where they are working,
they are pumping the water out as fast as they can and that has made it possible say experts have been talking to even entertained this rescue
which is extremely daring and risky in the first place and never been tried before like this with these full face mask and thick gauge wetsuits,
inexperienced boys with no diving experience, some can't swim being pulled out by divers. You know, the extreme diving community as a pack one day
moved into this area in the numbers from around the world joined by military specialists from the U.S., U.K., Australia, and China led by the
Thai Navy SEALs. There's nothing been anything quite like this and they're going to move into what they hope is tried and tested method that they used
today into the coming days.
[11:05:02] ANDERSON: David McKenzie, very close to the mouth of this cave. Well, how did we get here? Let's walk you back a bit and connect you to
the facts as we know them. Last Monday, this show breaking the news that they'd been found alive, twelve boys and their coach. The joy of what
seemed like a miracle quickly turning to dread and confusion though the boys, 12 them aged between 11 and the youngest 16 at the eldest along with
their coach found malnourished, confused after being forced onto a small ledge in the pitch-black for more than a week. Now we slowly discovered
they were much further into this cave complex that authorities had originally let on 4,000 meters inside of it. That's four kilometers, so
hundreds of meters deep, an 11-hour round trip for these dive experts. Well, the boys just went in to explore. No real food, no supplies to speak
of. They were there to mess around, kids being kids quite frankly. That transformed though into what has been this international nightmare as we
have to point out built far from over. And right now at this our, four boys outside the cave not sure which those are. Authorities haven't
released the details of the boys who've been released nor how they are at this point. We will discover that I'm sure in the hours to come. Eight
though are inside along with their coach. He is in his mid-20s. Well, retired cave rescuer and diver Michael McDonald's is sharing his insight
from London. He has taken part in many caving rescues over his career. And before we talk about what these expert divers will be going through,
what do you make of what we've witnessed in what is this first phase of the evacuation at this point?
MICHAEL MCDONALD, FORMER CAREER AND CAVE DIVER: I think there's been great optimism. It's gone better than expected. The rescuers will be on a high
I think, and providing they could get good rest, get the equipment recharged, and hoping the rain will not raise water levels any further, I
think there's great optimism and I think the rescuers will be on a high and raring to go for the next phase in ten or so hours' time.
ANDERSON: You say they'll be on a high and understandably so just walk us through what they have been through very, very basically. You know, I've
just said that this is an 11- hour trip for these divers to reach this shelf for these kids have been and then back again. For most of our
viewers who won't have dived, certainly won't have dive in these sort of conditions, we have no idea what these resilient and brave men are going
through. Just walk us through that.
MCDONALD: Well, I think psychologically and mentally they'll be fine. You've got Navy SEALs obviously and very well trained. You got to British
cave divers, part of the best in the world, very well trained, very mentally aware. So there's no mental problems and I think it's just sheer
fatigue. You know, you're talking four kilometers of cave, a lot of which are underwater backwards and forwards carrying heavy gear. It's draining
and they'll be absolutely exhausted but very positive and I think on a high and I think they can't wait to get stuck in again.
ANDERSON: Sure. Michael, how long out of interest would a normal cave dive be for these divers and you know, what would an average length of dive
been you know, under circumstances which are clearly very different from these?
MCDONALD: Oh absolutely, especially where the British cave divers come from which is obviously England and Wales. Most cave dives are relatively
short. They might be 50 meters, 100 meters, some literally just two or three meters so this is something which they probably will not have
experienced before. I know two of the divers and I know that someone had done some long dives but I don't think they've done -- they say have done
anything like this before. But their (INAUDIBLE) individuals are very well trained, very hard, very tough, very committed and they'll get the job
done.
ANDERSON: Well, before starting what is this extremely dangerous mission and that -- let's remind ourselves has already killed one diver, some of
the rescuers are sharing this image Michael on social media showing three members holding each other's risk. 13 international divers and five Thai
Navy SEALs as we understand it carrying out the mission. And we see those images, you've talked about the fact that they will be exhausted but they
will be raring to go again. And as a group, how important is it that they are able to work together at all times? This can't be done as an
individual on one's own, can it?
[11:10:07] MCDONALD: No, it doesn't. Cave divers normally dive on their own when we go for a normal cave dive in a cave in England, cave divers go
on their own or they'll have a colleague behind him in a chamber and one may be ahead of them. But most cave divers are so self-resilient. They
have to go on their own for safety purposes basically. So where they're working here and they've got two or three divers in one body of water, then
it's completely different to a situation to them but they're very adaptable. Cave divers have to be adaptable. They have to change to the
circumstances. They have to fly by the seat of their pants which I think is what they're doing now as circumstances are changing regularly and
they'll be changing their regime, they'll be changing their mindset and they will just be seeing what the situation is at the present time which is
constantly changing and fly by the seat of their pants and they'll be resilient and raring to go. As I said, they'll get the bit between their
teeth and they want to get the job done.
ANDERSON: Well, four boys out, eight remain with their coach. This rescue is over for the evening. The divers are resting. They will replenish
their oxygen and then as you rightly point out Michael, as you understand it, they will be raring to get on with this. Again, officials have told us
that they hope that the conditions remain as stable as they've been today in order to continue this operation in the morning. Well, let's reset you,
viewers, back to full scope of this rescue with it -- with what is a special cross-section of the mountain for you. Right now, to point one,
the boys coming out of the cave after more than two weeks down there on what will surely be the longest four thousand meters of their lives
squeezing through as this diagram shows very small spaces barely even big enough for even their small bodies. And what this diagram doesn't show is
the unstable rocky passengers -- passages, the muddy water. There will be practically no visibility and that is after point two. They're digging
down to them through the height of two Empire State building's, it didn't work. With heavy rain on the way for this week and the first stage done,
the rescuers will want the next stage of this gotten on. With four boys are safe, not clear which young boys have as of yet being rescued.
Officials haven't released their names nor have they released the condition that they are in. What we do know is that they are now at a hospital about
an hour or so away delivered there by either ambulance or by helicopter according to the conditions they were in. Officials say they need to
continue the operation under suitable circumstances. And Michael, all oxygen supplies were used up in this operation. The entire officials say
they are wanting to ensure that all conditions are as stable as they were today so these teams exhausted as they will be after today will have
regrouped. What will be discussions be about effecting a plan for the next phase?
MCDONALD: Well, they've obviously got a template because they've done it already so I think it will be more of the same unless the cave conditions
are changed greatly which appears they haven't apart from a little bit of extra water rising maybe, it's more of the same. So I thin know it is a
case of the divers, the active divers having some rest and the Army or whoever it is there just filling bottles as fast as they can possibly do
so. That'll be the -- so I don't think the actual fundamental plan will change because I can't think the circumstances are greatly changed for the
time being providing the water doesn't rise too much further. If it does, then it's all panic and the swivel hands to the pumps as it were and get in
there and try and get them out. But if they haven't got the tanks filled enough to do so then, of course, they can't so it's a two-phase thing now.
The divers must rest and the remainder of their personnel there must start pumping tanks as fast as they can possibly do so.
ANDERSON: Got it. Michael McDonald is a retired cave rescuer and diver. Thank you for coming on to give us your perspective and analysis. And as
Michael was pointing out, I mean as long as conditions don't change, the next phase would likely be as per the last. However, we have been telling
you that heavy rains have consumed -- have resumed at the cave complex where eight boys and their coach remain trapped. CNN's Meteorologist
Allison Chinchar is joining me now with what is going on there now and what we are forecasting next. Allison?
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Right. So we already seen some of David's shots where he was being dumped on by torrential rain and that's
likely going to continue off and on for the next few days. It's not going to be a washout per se but you are going to get rounds of that very heavy
rain coming through because the moisture is coming back. We are in the monsoon season. Peak months are July and August for this region. Here's
the map of Thailand. This is where the cave location is on the northern edge of Thailand and notice the oranges, the reds, and purples pushing back
into that area. That's the influx of moisture returning to this region. Now, we got lucky. July 2nd through the 7th, we were able to have no
measurable rainfall in this particular region. That was good. It allowed them to really get a good majority of that water out of the cave and pump
it out. But now that the rain has returned, that's going to be a concern just how much rain we'll be able to get back into the cave system.
[11:15:52] We do expect rain Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week. Rain chances are about 80 to 90 percent each day. And it's not just those
three days really when you take this out even further, five, seven, even 10 days out the rain chances continue. The main concern becomes next week
when we really expect to see a pretty good influx of very heavy rain returned to this area. How much exactly? Widespread amounts forecasting
about 100 to 150 millimeters total. I mean, again, think about it. That in and of itself is likely enough to cause some minor flooding problems.
But you have to keep in mind it's on top of what they've already had because we've mentioned, we are in the peak rainy season here, July and
August being the wettest months out of the year. This really doesn't go back down, Becky, until the end of October. That's when we would finally
start to see an end to the rainy season in this area.
ANDERSON: Allison Chinchar, on the forecast. Allison, thank you. So four boys in hospital as we speak, eight more and their football coach waiting
their turn and the rescue resumes in the morning. We'll be back in just a moment with a lot more on what is going on in Thailand. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: It's 20 past 7:00 in the UAE, 20 past 10:00 in Thailand. You're watching CNN, I'm Becky Anderson and we are following what is our top story
this hour the breaking news from Thailand. Four boys from a group trapped inside a cave have been rescued and taken to hospital. The Thai Navy
confirmed four of the 12 boys were evacuated from the cave network earlier today. Families of the boys have been anxiously awaiting their return.
Eight other boys from the same football team and their coach remain trapped inside these flooded caves. Officials say the rescue mission is paused for
the night and will resume after divers oxygen tanks are refilled. You're looking at ambulances involved in what has been the evacuation from the
cave site of those four youngsters to the local hospital. I want to get some perspective on the difficulties that were being faced by these
youngsters, those still trapped inside that cave in Thailand and indeed those who are now being assessed as we speak by medics in a hospital an
hour or so away from the complex cave network. Carole Lieberman is a psychiatrist joining me now from New York. And briefly just before we sort
of move on, your reaction to what we've heard today, four of these kids out eight left inside this cave complex along with their coach. What are your
thoughts as you hear this news?
[11:21:13] CAROLE LIEBERMAN, PSYCHIATRIST: Well, I know it's not for certain that the four who came out first were the healthiest, that is some
of the reports. If that's true, then on the one hand -- you know, and they made it of course which is, on the one hand, is going to be great for those
who are left behind in terms of their morale. They're going to think that if their teammates were able to do it, they can do it too. But on the
other hand, if those who are it left inside are not as strong psychologically or physically, then being exposed to the elements of being
trapped in the cave obviously will keep making its taking its toll on them. You know, the oxygen for example is a big problem because oxygen -- low
oxygen concentrations has an effect on both physically, you know, especially on the heart and the lungs and psychologically it makes people
have be less alert and it decreases their mood and it -- some people describe it as being drunk. So these are all things that will make it
harder for them to come out. Not to mention if the water goes higher and they are -- there are going to be more places where they have to actually
use their mask and scuba dive not just walk.
ANDERSON: Sure. There are eight kids and their coach left in this complex for like miracle being performed are now at a local hospital. If you were
the child psychiatrist and -- on admission, what would -- what would the process be for you with these four youngsters you've now been admitted?
LIEBERMAN: Well, mainly it would be to get them to finally express their feelings, their fears, their -- all the things that they've been holding in
because you know, they've been trying to act brave or they you know, the coach has been trying to pump them up and so on to make them feel like they
can do it, they can escape. But you know, now they need a chance to actually you know, sort of exhale, waiting to exhale and talk about what it
was really like for them in there. So it's more like letting them express themselves finally you know, in reassuring them that they're safe and soon.
ANDERSON: At any age of course, being kept away far away from your mom or dad or your family members is difficult, it hurts. Now though these boys
are amazingly putting on a brave face or certainly have been in the letters to their families, my team here taking a little time to share them with you
viewers. Have a look -- have a look and listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love you mom and dad. Don't worry, I'm safe already. Love to everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mom, are you OK at home? Stay at home. I'm OK. Please tell my teacher too. I'm fine. But the weather is quite cold but
don't worry. But don't forget my birthday.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm OK. Don't worry. I love dad and mom and everybody. I've just disappeared for only two weeks. I will go back and
help mom to sell every time I have a free day. I will rush to go back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Now, don't worry about us anymore. I miss everybody. I really need to go back home.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If I can get out, mom, dad, take me to eat pork on a hotplate.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't worry, I miss everybody, grandfather, auntie, mom, dad and brothers. I love everybody. I love mom and dad. Don't worry
about me. I love everybody.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I love mom and dad very much. Don't worry about it. I can take care of myself.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Those are the voices of some of my team voicing what are letters that were written by these brave young boys and that the divers had bought
out for the benefit of these families that are just waiting to see their little fellows again. It does seem absolutely remarkable. They sort of
sound stoic don't hey at this point. What do you -- what do you think when you -- when you heard their words?
[11:25:17] LIEBERMAN: Yes. There's a whole mixture of things. You know, of course, it's really sweet that they are more concerned for their
families than for themselves than to themselves and concerned with reassuring their families. You know, I think some of it might be also that
they feel a little guilty and ashamed that they got themselves into this kind of circumstance to begin with, like the parents wrote things don't
worry, we're not mad at you. They wrote to the coach, you know, we don't blame you. So everybody is trying to reassure everybody else which is
really good. To some degree it might be that some of the kids are a little bit in denial or magical thinking that they are safe. You know, that was
part of the -- part of this is that when the first saw the two men who rescued them -- or came first, they felt like, oh, wow, now we're saved.
They didn't realize that those very first moments that there was going to be all of this difficulty to overcome and that was something that they had
to then digest. But you know, yes, I think it is very helpful that they had that communication. That goes -- does wonders because to the extent
that they have to wear scuba masks and actually have to scuba dive to get out, the most dangerous thing is for them to be anxious or to panic and to
use up too much oxygen you know, in their anxiety and panic, or to try to remove the mask because oftentimes divers feel claustrophobic and they
feel, "I can't breathe," and they think that the thing that they should do is to remove their mask, which of course is the absolute wrong thing to do.
So all of this communication was incredibly helpful towards making them stronger psychologically to get out.
ANDERSON: Sure. Now we look at images of these kids in this cave complex as you speak, Carole and our viewers will notice that most of them, if not
all of them have got football shirts on them. Days before getting lost in this cave, these kids were playing football together. The boys loved the
game, and they've been asking the divers about the World Cup competition that's going on. They've been asking non-stop. Little do they know
perhaps at this point that they've actually -- they have now been invited to the finals by FIFA and let's just hope that final is on Sunday. It
would be wonderful if they were all out and able to attend, perhaps a little bit optimistic at this stage. But you know, it is fascinating,
isn't it? And you as a child psychiatrist, I just wonder how you feel about this sense that you know, we know they've talked about when they were
first found being hungry and wanting something to eat and what is it that you wanted to eat. The fact that they're thinking, and they can you know,
entertain themselves as they were thinking about t world cup competition that's going on, seems to be keeping them together, seems to be keeping
their minds occupied.
LIEBERMAN: Yes, yes, absolutely. Again, you know, I think that that's probably due to the coach and rescuers and so on who have been in there and
trying to help them keep their positive frame of mind. You know, one thing that you sort of alluded to, I mean, yes, wouldn't it be wonderful for the
world -- not just for the children and for their families -- if we saw them at the world cup, like if they were healthy enough to finally -- to make it
to the world cup. But you know, also, there's the other side of that. I mean it is going to be devastating for the world if there -- if they all
don't get out, you know? I mean it's great that we have four and we know that. We can be fairly sure that they're going to be OK because now
they're you know, being treated and soon. But there is going to be an impact on people who are watching this all over the world, because we each
kind of identify with them. You know, we may feel trapped in different ways in our own lives and want to be rescued. So hopefully they will all
get out and that would be just glorious to see them at the world cup.
ANDERSON: Wonderful. All right, well, we absolutely share your thoughts. Your analysis and insights, incredibly important to us, Carole, thank you.
Carole Lieberman is a psychiatrist talking to us today from New York. Stay with us, viewers, we will have a lot more on what's this developing story
after a very short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:32:55] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN BREAKING NEWS.
ANDERSON: Well, welcome back. You are joining us at an extraordinary moment right now. We are right in the middle of a rescue that like's which
the world has never seen before and one that is far from over.
This hour, diver is filling up their tanks with fresh air to get ready to dive back deep inside flooded caves in Thailand after pulling out four of
the 12 young boys trapped deep inside of it. And some safe in these ambulances, another flown straight to hospital in a helicopter to see
doctors right away.
Remember, before being found, the boys were stuck alone in the dark without food for more than a week. So that they are tired, they are lost and they
are confused. And that was before taking an extreme way back, pulled through 4,000 meters of what I can only describe as conditions that these
pictures can give you a sense of.
These conditions are extreme to connect you to everything that is going on. Let's get you right outside that hospital where four of these young lads
are being looked after now with CNN's Matt Rivers. Matt, what's the latest from there?
MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Becky, we know that all four of these boys have safely arrived. We watched four different ambulances
over the course of an hour show up. Three came together as part of a convoy and the fourth came by itself also part of a convoy with the
military and police.
And we know they're being looked after by the doctors and nurses inside this hospital behind me at this point. They were prepared for this earlier
today. CNN saw before really they had closed down media access to this hospital, CNN actually witnessed some of the preparations including
gurney's actually being lined up outside of the entrance to the Emergency Room. And it shows you that this hospital was preparing for the
possibility that these boys would show up here.
And I say the word "possibility" and not "eventuality" because it really, Becky, was not guaranteed that we were going to get to this point. You
know, 16 hours ago, I was standing outside of the cave entrance and we were actually talking about the likelihood of these boys being able to get out
of this situation alive. I mean it is that serious and it is that dangerous.
And so, the fact that the conversation, at least, for four of the 13 people that were trapped has shifted from being, can they get out of the cave to
what is their condition inside this hospital? That is a question that I personally am very glad to be asking. Because it means that there is good
news that these boys are here, we're hoping to find out more about their conditions and what they experienced inside that cave? But, so far, this
rescue operation has gone very well.
[11:35:43] ANDERSON: Matt Rivers outside the hospital in Chiang Rai, there. Thank you, Matt. It's almost impossible for any of us to even know
where to begin when trying to get any idea of just how awful it must be to go through anything like what these youngsters are now or have been faced
with and -- or faced with as they -- those are still inside this cave system, and continue there among those who do have a sense of it.
Here's Emily Davis, she's been through a similar ordeal which we can show you now with some archived footage. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rescue operation is now in its fourth grueling day. The team faces its last and most challenging vertical ascent.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You trust the people you're with. You have to have trust enough. You're trusting your life to them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Probably, once again, sees the bright stars in the --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Emily is trapped down there, emerging after being trapped in a cave for 91 hours, after a huge rock fell and broke her leg. She's
joining us now and from upstate New York, and we are delighted to have you with us, but we are showing those images just of what is -- you know, an
accident while you were cave exploring as I understand. It not cave diving, the cave exploring.
Just to show how difficult circumstances are, or where were you were at the time and the hours that you went through. Just take us back what was going
through your head as you awaited that rescue?
EMILY DAVIS, CAVE EXPLORER: Well, I was with five friends. And those friends added up to a hundred years of caving experience. So, we pretty
much knew what to do when I broke my leg. One of the first things we have to do was wait just like the boys had to do. And we had to wait for rescue
team, stretchers, and carry out. Ropes had to be rigged. We were lucky there was no water to cross. The temperature of the cave was comfortable.
And it -- we just had to cover a very long distance, a mile of cave and a thousand feet underground.
ANDERSON: CNN's speaking to some of what have been these incredibly well- trained divers going inside these caves in Thailand over the last week, and one of them telling us about how being underground for so long may have
been getting inside the boy's heads. Just have a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLAUS RASMUSSEN, CAVE DIVE INSTRUCTOR, BLUE LABEL DIVING: The kids are strong but they also started as we understand it, they claim that they have
heard noises from the outside while they were there in there. And that means that such as dogs barking, other kids playing, chickens cooing,
rooster around, there's been animal live around. There's been something around.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: What is it like Emily being underground for so long?
DAVIS: It depends on the person. These kids are not cavers, so, they're not comfortable with being underground for long periods of time. And we
often joke about something called, them, the sounds in a cave when you're silent. The water makes sounds, you imagine people's voices in the
distance, and the kids probably heard them, this sound that you hear in the quiet of the cave.
And it would make them imagine that people were coming. That might make them a little anxious, but the divers are spectacular. The divers that are
there are trained cave divers, they really know what they are doing, and they know how to act with the kids to help them feel comfortable and
confident that they're all going to get out.
ANDERSON: I know you'll be hoping as we all up around the world that these last eight kids with their coach are rescued alive and well. We know that
there are four of these youngsters now safe at a local hospital. And we have a reporter there as we do a reporter.
At the top of this cave network it has been raining very hard there, Emily in the last couple of hours. You talked about these kids inside this cave
who will be hearing things.
Again, you know, the notion that they are together I guess, it is a good thing they are not on their own. But the sort of psychology, just walk us
through the kind of mindset as you will finally for these children. Those not that have been rescued today, but those are who are still there.
[11:40:32] DAVIS: Well, I think that the main psychology is the rescuers are going to make the kids feel more comfortable. They're going to give
them confidence. One of the things during my rescue that we always said was you weren't around and less allowed to come near the stretcher unless
you had a joke. Keeping the kids smiling, keeping them joking around, those things, and thinking towards the future. They're going to get out,
it's just a matter of time, there is movement now, they probably have heard or will hear soon that four are out.
I think that, that will buy them and get them ready for the next push of the next group coming out.
ANDERSON: Yes, and we can only imagine what they're going through. But Emily Davis who was stuck in a cave with a broken leg for four days back in
1991 with some incredible and really unique perspective there. We know a lot of people want to speak to you right now. So, thank you very much for
coming on and sharing your story with us. We're going to take a very short break. No, we not. I mean, pause before we carry on.
Because we'll have more on what is our breaking news from Thailand in just a moment, I want to though get you up to speed on some of the other stories
that are on our radar this hour. On heavy rain has pounded parts of Southwestern Japan, triggering flooding and landslides. Leaving 57 people
dead.
Just look at this aerial video which really captures the scale of the devastation. 2 million forced to flee their homes, and at least, 22 people
are reported missing.
Well, the U.S. Secretary of State is in Japan where he says economic sanctions against North Korea won't be lifted anytime soon. Speaking at a
press conference in Tokyo earlier today, Mike Pompeo, said it'll only happen once full denuclearization has been achieved. But insisted,
progress has been made on several key issues.
We are down to four teams at the World Cup with semi-final set to start on Tuesday. On Saturday, Croatia knocked out hosts Russia in an extra time
through that England defeated Sweden. So, over the next round, France will play Belgium, that's Tuesday. And Croatia and England will meet on
Wednesday all to set up the final which is one week from today.
And of course, those youngsters, those young Thai boys whose plight we've been following. A footballers, they've learned that should -- we've learnt
that should they get out in time and be able to travel, FIFA has invited them to the final match. We don't know whether they know that yet.
But these divers doing what they can to get the last of those kids out for out and in safe and in hospital. Eight and their coach still in what is
this complex cave network.
This is CNN with breaking news coverage of the Thai cave rescue details emerging of the operation that brought four of these 12 boys to safety.
We'll have a lot more on that after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:49] ANNOUNCER: This is CNN BREAKING NEWS.
ANDERSON: You are watching CNN, I'm Becky Anderson. Welcome back, we continue to monitor the breaking news out of Chiang Rai in Thailand.
Four of the 12 boys trapped in a flooded cave have been safely evacuated. They are at a hospital about an hour's drive away from the cave.
Rescue operations have concluded for the day so the divers can rest and begin again in the morning. But it's a race against time and the weather.
Monsoon level rains expected to intensify in the coming days.
Well, Jennifer Wild is an associate professor in experimental psychology at Oxford University, where she specializes in post-traumatic stress disorder.
She joins us now via Skype. And as you consider what these boys have been through, there are eight and their coach who are still inside this complex
cave network, what are your biggest concerns for these kids?
JENNIFER WILD, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, OXFORD UNIVERSITY (via skype): My biggest concerns would be that they would start to think that they're not
going to get out. As long as they -- it's such a huge accomplishment that those four had been rescued and if they can focus on that, those four boys
have made it out safely that will give them hope that they can do it too.
Now, if they keep focusing on the future and perhaps that message that FIFA have invited them to the game, all of that information that will keep them
focused on getting out and having something to look forward to rather than on what could go wrong.
If they start to dwell about what could go wrong, it will make a rescue operation more difficult and it can increase the likelihood of developing
post-traumatic stress disorder down the line.
ANDERSON: And how would that manifest itself? When we look at these images, and as you speak, Jennifer, our viewers are seeing images of these
kids inside this cave complex and they look so calm. They don't look as we would consider traumatized as it were, but clearly one assumes they will
be. So, what will medics and authorities have to watch out for? And how will they help these boys through the next phase?
WILD: Well, it's not a fact that they will definitely develop post- traumatic stress. Kids are typically resilient, and most people when they're exposed to trauma don't develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
So, being able to focus on all of the information that supports their safety, will keep them protected. What we really have to look out for in
the month after they are rescued.
Or whether or not, they're having unwanted memories and flashbacks, they may have physical reminders so they are like -- they may be in a similar
slightly similar situation like being in an enclosed environment like a toilet, or a room with the door closed, and that may bring back a feeling
of being trapped, but without an actual memory of being trapped in the cave. So that's what we call affect without recollection. So the feeling
comes back, but not without, but without the memory.
So, we want to look out for those kinds of symptoms but, of course, the important point is those are really normal in a month after trauma. So we
don't want to rush in and start to offer loads of psychological intervention. Unless, after a month, they are feeling anxious and they are
having terrifying memories of what they went through.
But if they can focus on the fact that they got out, and we trust that the rest of the rescue mission will get all of the boys out. If they can focus
on that information and see it as more of an adventure that they experience rather than a trauma that collects it to their -- the end of their life, so
they'll likely to have a really good recovery.
ANDERSON: Yes, I know, you make a very good point. You don't have to be a parent, of course, to know that you would do anything to help save your
child. Moving in heaven and earth to do it in this case that is almost literally at what it's taking. Say these young boys cracker amongst them,
he is just 14 years old. His aunt and grandma speaking to CNN, they told us they need him back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[11:50:04] SALISA PROMJAK, AUNT OF TRAPPED BOY, PRAJAK SUTHAM (through translation): It's like I'm counting every second. I want to see his
face. I want to see how he gets out, how they get him out. I'm so happy.
KIAWAKHAM CHANTAPHOON, GRANDMOTHER OF TRAPPED BOY, PRAJAK SUTHAM (through translation): Grandma loves you the most in the whole world. I miss you
dearly. I think, every country, everyone helps the kids to get out. It's like a miracle.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Now that there's anybody in the world, you can be able to identify with those thoughts, Jennifer, and these families are going to be
so important, aren't they? When let's say when not if these kids get out in helping them through whatever happens next.
WILD: Yes, exactly. The family supports, social support after an event like this is so important and helping people to get through what they've
been through.
ANDERSON: Jennifer Wild is a clinical psychologist and specialist in post- traumatic stress disorder. Thank you for your time, and thank you viewers for being with us. Do stay with us. I mean, this is the end of one hour,
and we'll have a lot more on this BREAKING NEWS. In fact, it's not the end of this hour talk. A lot more for you just ahead, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN BREAKING NEWS.
ANDERSON: You're watching CNN, in our BREAKING NEWS coverage of the Thai cave rescue. The first phase of that rescue operation free the trapped
youth team -- Thai football team, has been a success. Four of the 12 team members are now safe in a hospital. The local governor, says things went
smoothly and even took less time than what he describes as the practice runs.
Rescuers now need to replenish their oxygen tank and will be huddling to plan the next steps. Well, it's still a waiting game for the eight boys
and their coach who remain trapped in the flooded cave. CNN's David McKenzie, joining me now from near the cave site where it is currently
raining.
David, do you have any sense at this point of when this operation may once again resume?
MCKENZIE: Well, in general, they feeling is that they will resume again in the early hours of tomorrow morning, local time, Becky. They said that
they'd have a strategy session this evening to plot the next steps. The rain will certainly be a concern, but it's anything it means that they will
just work even more tires -- tirelessly to get this done as quickly as possible. Because there might not be another window again if the rain
sustains itself for several days hear.
I think the things we need to watch are when they make the announcement that those elite divers are going back into the inner reaches of that cave
to get those boys out. And then, you know it seems that these that we'll have to wait and see exactly what the health conditions of those boys are.
That the initial day went better than expected and quick as expected as you said.
So, they will hope that this will be, again, tomorrow. But the rain is a complication. Becky?
[11:55:21] ANDERSON: Yes, and just for our viewer's sake who may not have been watching over the past hour, or so, you and I have spoken, and it has
been absolutely tipping it down where you are. Now, this is monsoon season, the beginning of the monsoon season there, or thereabouts. So this
rain doesn't come down all the time, does it? But when it comes, it pours, right? Briefly.
MCKENZIE: That's right? It's patchy, but when it comes it pours, and it can be a short amount of time dumping a great deal of rain down on
detachment area. And as we talked about, that is the reason the boys got stuck in the first place. They didn't expect the rain to come and it
flooded them into the cave deeper.
So, they will hope to have enough time to get these next batch of boys out. And possibly even the following day, do it all over again. Becky?
ANDERSON: David McKenzie, very close to the mouth of this complex cave network. Thank you.
I'm Becky Anderson, you're watching what is our special coverage of the Thai cave rescue operation, with four young boys safe here, eight more and
their coach still in the cave, and 90 rescue workers preparing the next phase of what has been a dramatic rescue.
That's likely in the morning. It's almost 11:00 p.m. in Chiang Rai. Right now, a long night ahead for all involved. We will keep you bang up to date
here on CNN as we learn more about the rescued boys' condition and what happens next for those still in the cave. A lot more to come. Stay with
us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- resignation. And I think that is very telling. It seems to be indicative perhaps of somebody that's only come to this
conclusion late today, remembering that he was very late to decide whether or not he was going to support Brexit or remain. When he did, many of the
people had already made up their minds. So he's come to his decision late today. Is he just figuring out how he wants to frame this, how he can best
move on, or is he figuring out something much more politically Machiavellian to try to bring down the leader of his own party?
BECKY ANDERSON; CNN HOST: Well, we're keeping an eye -- one eye on his residence where we were told he would be leaving relatively soon. As and
when, this is the Foreign Secretary's residence. He will be leaving here for the last time of course because he has resigned as the Foreign
Secretary. As of when we see him leave there in London, we will get those images to you.
Nina Dos Santos, arguably the man who made Brexit happen forcing the country into a referendum was Nigel Farage. He tweeted this earlier,
"Bravo Boris Johnson. Now, can we please get rid of the appalling @Theresa_May and get Brexit back on track." Many ask whether this man
actually has a conscience given there clearly was no plan by Brexit here and his plan that Theresa May now has put together, falling apart within
just two days and it is taken as the opposition has been rightly pointing out two years to get to this Brexit plan at this point. What happens next?
NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it depends what happens in terms of Theresa May's leadership whether she faces a no confidence vote, whether
she'd indicated it seems though she would like to fight that and she'll try to fight that robustly. If she loses that, we may well see fresh
elections. We would have a leadership contest. That will take three months and obviously that will eat into the Brexit timetable because we're
under the UK supposed to be leaving by March of next year.
So there's very, very little time to play here domestic politics. And of course, all of this is being looked at from Brussels with increasing
amusement. You can probably hear here in Westminster some of the really vocal protestors behind me. Well they are actually chanting and have been
over the course of today "Stop Brexit." They believe that this disarray inside the conservative party at the highest echelons is likely to derail
the whole Brexit process and as a result Brexit may well never happen.
Now, obviously Brexit is something that hasn't just split the country, it's split the government. We'll probably have a little bit more indication of
how likely Theresa May is to remain in the event later on because she's set to meet with a key bunch of back benchers, the 1922 committee later on
today and whether or not they will back her, that will be crucial. Becky?
ANDERSON: Nina Dos Santos is outside the British Parliament. Our guests all joining us from London. For the time being guys, please stand by.
Theresa May today refusing to sanction the very idea of a no Brexit going forward. We wait to see whether she can survive what is going on with her
government.
Today life from Abu Dhabi, lots more to come, in our breaking news, the British Foreign Secretary resigned amid Brexit turmoil. And also, this
hour, the miracles continue in Thailand, four more boys are rescued from a cave. Five other boys and their coach -- four boys and their coach still
remain underground. We'll update you on the rescue operation just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
12:20:00
ANDERSON: Our breaking news this hour, a spokesman for Theresa May says the British Prime Minister will fight any attempt to oust her from power
after the shock resignation of two senior cabinet members. Brexit Secretary David Davis and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson are both stepping
down to protest Mrs. May's plans for Britain leaving the European Union.
Paddy Ashdown is the former leader of the country's third largest political party, the Liberal Democrats. He's done jobs up and down the length of
government and is right now a member of the House of Lords, the upper chamber. He joins us now from Central London.
And, sir, you tweeted before Boris Johnson resigned that it would send his leadership ambitions up in smoke and that the rebels will choose someone to
help lead them on. Do you stand by that now? We are yet to see sight nor sound of him today. But we do know he's resigned. We have no idea why or
what happens next.
PADDY ASHDOWN, MEMBER HOUSE OF LORDS: Becky, nice to be with you. I predicted this morning that he would resign. He would have to resign
because what Boris has been doing is enjoying the luxury of leading the rebellion in the Tory party from inside the cabinet. As soon as David
Davis left he had to follow, otherwise he would be leading them from outside.
So, it was inevitable he would go, which should be absolutely realized this has nothing to do with principle, that's being cruelly exposed already.
It's to do with his personal ambitions. And the logical consequence of this now is that he will stand, challenge Mrs. May for the leadership,
otherwise why would he have resigned?
I mean, it is preposterous, it is shameful, it is painful to watch, we have a Prime Minister with not a single shred of credibility left, how on earth
she can negotiate on behalf of our country in Europe, I do not know. Pity my poor country now held to ransom by squabbles in the Conservative Party
that, frankly, would give rats in a sack a bad name.
ANDERSON: With the arrival of the United States President this week, does Theresa May survive this?
ASHDOWN: No. I mean, she may. She's there for one reason well, two reasons. One is still Jeremy Corbyn but the other is the Conservative
Party cannot agree on an alternative leader. The remainers cannot agree on the Brexieer and the Brexiters wouldn't agree on a remainer they're divided
into those two camps and in the trenches.
She's a bit like the sort of albatross in the ballad of the ancient mariner, hung around their neck as a sign of bad luck. No one knows how to
get rid of her. The truth is that I suspect she will try to survive.
She's got one way out and only one, but she has never shown that she has the courage for a big move. That big move would be simply to say to the
Brexiters do your worse, I'm going ahead with the soft Brexit and challenge them (inaudible).
But that would mean (reshape) (inaudible) in a soft Brexit image rather than a divided cabinet which she currently has. That would be her best way
out. But I doubt she'll take it.
ANDERSON: What does all of this mean for Britain and the British people at this point?
ASHDOWN: I don't know. I mean, from this fractured broken dystopian dysfunctional situation in our politics and our government, any outcome is
possible in the next two or three months. I suspect when the history books come to be written there'll be many pages devoted to what happened, has
happened in the last couple of months and will happen in the next three or four.
I mean, I just come to this point, at this point, having taken a decision which I believe to be wrong but nevertheless the British public took it,
we now needed a government with the credibility to be able to negotiate with the European Union the best possible deal for Britain and it couldn't
even negotiate a deal amongst itself. It is a catastrophe. And it is shameful for a great country that's had world aspirations in the past and
is famous for doing things that are sensible.
ANDERSON: Is the alternative being called for by lawmakers in Parliament this afternoon of a second referendum, of an end to this Brexit shambles?
We know that there are significant members of the British public who don't want this.
ASHDOWN: Yes. Yes.
ANDERSON: Is that feasible, Paddy, at this point?
ASHDOWN: I mean, there's an overwhelming public view last figure I saw was about 65 to 35 or something that the British people should be given the
vote on the final deal and I understand why, the government has so badly mishandled it. Here's a little prediction for you, it's always dangerous,
Becky, to make predictions but I'll make this one.
12:25:00
The day that David Davis set this bomb in motion by lighting the fuse this morning, became the (inaudible) when it becomes more likely rather than
less that before we get to Brexit there will be one further test of public opinion, either through a general election or through a people's vote on
the vote final deal. And that remains to happen, I think, at the end of this year. But one or the other that is not the most likely outcome of the
complete chaos that the government has now arrived in.
ANDERSON: Paddy Ashdown, and you sit in the House of Lords. You sit and to a certain extent, I mean clearly as a member of the Upper Chamber, you
will have an opportunity and have had an opportunity to play your own part in this.
Just how many of your colleagues are as engaged as you are in this process? Because at the end of the day we need as many people as possible engaged,
surely everybody who is in a position to take the responsibility in the U.K. taking it.
ASHDOWN: No, they're not. I mean I went to House of Lords to get rid of it. I think it's a preposterous and ridiculous and undemocratic
institution that is a thousand strong, only one assembly in the world is bigger and that is one for the People's Republic of China.
So the majority won't be engaged, but many of us will. I think there are people in the House of Lords now who are determined to make sure that we
play our part to get the country out of this mess.
One thing and only thing is required, but unfortunately it seems to me unlikely that is going to be achieved. And that is at the other end of the
corridor, that is in the House of Commons in the lower chamber, people put aside their party beliefs and their party squabbles and differences and put
the country's interest first. And if they do that then the only way out of the stalemate we're now arriving in is in my view, giving the people a vote
on the -- and if that happens I think there is chance that our country will come to its senses. But that's the only chance we have.
ANDERSON: Paddy Ashdown, sounding a pretty pessimistic note I'm afraid, but it's always a pleasure to speak to you, sir. Your analysis and insight
is incredibly important at informing what is a very, very important story, not just for Britain but the EU and the rest of the world.
Thank you, sir. More breaking news at this hour. From Thailand as more boys get out of the cave after being stuck there for more than two weeks.
The details on that are just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back. I'm Becky Anderson for you, let's get you right back to the news for this hour.
12:30:00
We are following what is a phenomenal breaking news story. Unlike any, I can say that we've seen before or you can challenge me on that, but I'm
pretty sure that this is one of those very unique stories -- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 young Thai boys can at last see blue sky, breath fresh air, eat
some proper food and lay down in a decent bed after being wrenched out from their living nightmare inside the belly of a mountain in an
extraordinary rescue through dangerous caves brimming with dark, murky floodwaters.
Just hours ago, four boys getting out, the same number as yesterday, being scooped up into helicopters to be flown out to doctors. They are being
treated, tested and quarantined. So as of this very moment four of the boys and their coach still left perched on what is a small ledge inside the
cave full of water, 17 long days. We are out late into the hot humid night for you this hour, Jonathan Miller right next to the very place that the
boys got into the caves maybe three weeks ago.
Jonathan, firstly, how are the boys who are out doing right now?
MILLER: Pretty well, Becky. The news from the hospital is that although they haven't been reunited with their parents yet, the moms and dads have
seen them through the window of the isolation unit in which they're being kept. They've been getting their medical checks and all seems good. In
fact, the commander of the operation said today that the boys were eating what he called normal food although some soft food like porridge and that
sort of thing. They have to be careful with the digestive systems I think after that long period, that first nine days when they didn't eat at all.
And they've been having sort of high energy drinks and foods down in the cave, but they seem to be in pretty good shape. It's absolutely
remarkable.
ANDERSON: Well, we know that that is, I mean, that is absolutely fantastic news and nothing short of a miracle that these eight kids are out, four
boys, Jonathan, their coach, of course, remained just in the last few hours or so. This newly invented so called kid-sized submarine getting to
Thailand. You can see it being moved through an area in a pool that's meant to somewhat to make it seem like a tight gap in the cave. They're
being sent over by the billionaire tech tycoon Elon Musk.
It seems though that the rescue well underway with an established routine. So they are unlikely one assumes, John, to change it, we imagine, to make
room for this at the moment. I mean, they seem to have a plan, correct?
MILLER: Yes. I mean, the plan remains intact and that's the good old- fashioned way of getting them out. It was actually the plan of last resort frankly because it wasn't an easy plan, very, very treacherous, very
hazardous conditions, very difficult for children who haven't had much practice with scuba gear, that sort of thing, but it's working.
Four were out today, four yesterday, five more to go which includes the coach. They might even get all five out tomorrow. That depends on the
situation down there and the assessment of the divers and the doctor. But, yes, it's probably going to be too late for all this high-tech stuff that
Elon Musk has suggested, brilliant though it might be.
The operation was, we felt, going to be affected by the very heavy rain overnight. But the weather was fine today and apparently conditions down
below have remained pretty good. There were about 100 rescuers in total down there including the 18 international cave divers who have been
escorting the boys out, one in front, one behind, each boy tethered to the diver in front who carries his oxygen canister or his compressed air
canister.
So it's proceeding well. It's been successful and it's absolutely extraordinary to see it working so fantastically well. This country is
completely hooked on the story. And I think the minute the last boy gets out it's going to be like Thailand's won the World Cup. The country's
going to go nuts.
ANDERSON: Yes. And we do know these young boys who absolutely love their soccer, they are a football team after all, have been invited to the FIFA
World Cup Final. That is on Sunday. I mean, nobody thought beginning of this week that that would be realistic. Who knows at this point?
Seventeen days and counting, that is how long these boys have been pinned beneath the earth.
And, Jonathan, let me just sort of take our viewers back to remind us all what this epic odyssey is timeline-wise. They went missing June 23rd with
time running out, a scrambling search, like a miracle they were found alive more than a week on, it took a day for food and medicine to get to them,
and then another grueling six days for that first group of boys to actually start getting out of there which was this weekend. Is there any indication
at this point when everybody will be out safely, God willing?
END
