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Ex-Navy Seal dies in Thai cave rescue operation

Saman Kunont ran out of oxygen supplies while coming back from a spot inside the Tham Luang cave where the 12 boys and their football coach were located

Ex-Navy Seal dies in Thai cave rescue operation

This handout video grab taken from footage released by the Royal Thai Navy late July 2, 2018, shows missing children inside the Tham Luang cave of Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province. (Photo: AFP)

A former military diver has died after running out of oxygen while assisting in the rescue of 12 boys and their football coach trapped inside a Thai cave, an official said today.

His death highlights the perils of the operation to extract the team from deep inside the waterlogged cave in northern Thailand, raising questions about the feasibility of bringing youngsters out the same way.

Also Read | Thai official says boys may be taken out of cave in stages

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“A former Seal who volunteered to help died last night about 2am,” Chiang Rai deputy governor Passakorn Boonyaluck told reporters at the site, calling it “sad news.” The diver, identified as Saman Kunont, was coming back from a spot inside the Tham Luang cave where the group were located on Monday when his supplies ran short.

“On his way back he lost consciousness,” said Thai Seal commander Apakorn Yookongkaew, adding that a friend had tried to help bring him out.

“But even though we have lost one man, we still have faith to carry out our work.” Asked how the boys could make it out safely if an experienced diver could not, Apakorn said they would take more precautions with children.

Read More | Watch: Fresh Navy video shows Thai cave boys in ‘good health’

The accident marks the first major setback for the gargantuan effort, which started almost two weeks ago after the “Wild Boars” team went into the northern Thai cave after football practice.

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