Sheikh Mohammed shares 'heartfelt congratulations' after boys saved from a cave in Thailand

The 12 boys and their 25-year-old assistant coach were trapped for 18 days after venturing into Tham Luang cave after football practice

July 11, 2018

Thai rescue teams lay a water pumping system at the entrance of Tham Luang cave. World leaders have sent their congratulations after all 13 trapped inside the cave were rescued safely. Royal Thai Navy via AP

Thai rescue teams lay a water pumping system at the entrance of Tham Luang cave. World leaders have sent their congratulations after all 13 trapped inside the cave were rescued safely. Royal Thai Navy via AP

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has shared his “heartfelt congratulations” after a youth football team and their assistant coach were rescued from a cave in Thailand.

The 12 boys and their 25-year-old coach were trapped for 18 days after venturing into Tham Luang cave after football practice. Heavy monsoon rains blocked the entrance, forcing them to retreat to a remote ledge deep inside.

A mission to extract them was launched on Sunday and the last of the boys and their coach were led out on Tuesday by a team of elite divers.

“I am glad to hear that all 12 boys and their coach have been rescued from the cave in Thailand,” wrote Sheikh Mohammed on a post on Twitter.

“It’s a humanitarian story that led to an outpouring of sympathy. My heartfelt congratulations to them, their families, the brave rescue team and to the King of Thailand and all Thais.”