BANGKOK- On Friday, the Royal Thai Navy said that the Navy SEAL who had taken part in the dramatic rescue of 12 young boys and their coach from a cave that was flooding in Northern Thailand, has died after a year-long blood infection which he contracted on the operation.
Beiret Bureerak, the Petty Officer has been receiving treatment for the infection but his condition worsened. During the rescue operation, another navy diver Sargeant Saman Kuman had died.
On June 23rd 2018, the 12 boys had gone to explore the Tham Luang caves in Chiang Rai with their Wild Boars Academy coach Ekapol Chantawong when a downpour flooded the cave system, trapping them underground.
The team survived for a period of nine days drinking water dripping from the rocks until they were discovered. The rescue effort was joined by volunteers from abroad and the ordeal ended on July 10th when the coach and the 12 boys were brought out safely.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.