Rescuers in Thailand have stunningly removed some of the boys trapped in a flooded, treacherous cave.
Four of the boys made an 8 hour trek -- with the help of Thailand's navy SEAL unit -- scuba diving to safety. The 4 boys were immediately taken to the hospital. One was airlifted and the other 3 were taken by ambulance.
WATCH: BBC footage of another ambulance leaving cave site. Thai navy SEAL team say 4 of wild boar team have left cave #thamluangcave #thamluang #ถ้ำหลวง #13ชีวิตติดถ้ำ #13ชีวิตรอดแล้ว #พาหมูป่ากลับบ้าน #ThailandCaveRescue pic.twitter.com/rolgACeBiC
The 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped underground in the cave for 16 days, and it seemed rescue efforts were stalled because of the difficulty of traversing a mile-and-a-half of water in narrow passages.
The boys were taught how to scuba dive but it appeared as late as Saturday they were not ready to make the trip. Impending rains were threatening the remaining dry ground and Saturday night it seemed the rescue effort was accelerated.
Reuters is reporting 6 boys have been removed, but other outlets say 4. The efforts continue to bring the other boys out.
The weakest of the dozen children were removed first.
Story developing.