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How an Indian tech firm helped in Thai cave rescue

Last updated on: July 11, 2018 13:38 IST

Experts from a Pune-headquartered firm gave technical support in the operations to rescue a football team trapped inside a cave system in Thailand, the company said on Tuesday.

IMAGE: Military personnel, rescue workers and volunteers head out from Tham Luang Nang Non cave after ambulances transported the group of boys rescued from the cave to a nearby hospital. Photograph: Linh Pham/Getty Images

After the Indian embassy recommended to the Thai authorities that they could use Kirlosker Brothers’ Limited’s expertise in “dewatering”, the company sent teams from its offices in India, Thailand and the United Kingdom to the site, it said.

 

Its experts were on site at the cave in Tham Luang since July 5 and offered “technical know-how and advice on dewatering and pumps involved in the rescue operation,” said a KBL release.

The KBL had also offered to provide four specialised high capacity Autoprime dewatering pumps, which were kept ready at Kirloskarvadi plant in Maharashtra to be airlifted to Thailand, it said.

IMAGE: Onlookers watch and cheer as ambulances transport some of the rescued schoolboys from a helipad to Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital. Photograph: Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images

The final five members of the young football team were rescued from the flooded Thai cave on Tuesday after spending 18 harrowing days trapped deep inside.

A total of 12 children, aged from 11 to 16, and their coach, ventured into the Tham Luang cave in mountainous northern Thailand on June 23 after football practice and got trapped when heavy rains caused flooding.

Thai PM thanks everyone involved in cave rescue mission

In the wake of the successful extraction of the youth football team trapped in a vast network of caves, Thailand Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the rescue operation.

“On the behalf of the Thai government, I would like to reiterate my sincere gratitude for the determination and sacrifice of all involved in this mission including individual volunteers, government officials, private companies and the press corp for their assistance in sharing expertise, manpower and equipment and also people around the world for their moral support throughout this ordeal,” Prayut said in his address.

He also thanked the King and the royal family for extending their support during times of crisis, like these.

“At a time of crisis, when the Thai people are facing with hardship, His Majesty the King and all members of the Royal Family have always expressed concern and shown kindness by bestowing guidance and moral support as well as Royal support to the rescue mission,” Prayut added.

PM Prayut took a moment to pay his tributes to former Thai Navy Seal Diver Petty Officer First Class Saman Kunan, who volunteered and lost his life during the mission. “His honour, sacrifice and legacy will always be in our hearts,” added the Thai PM.

-- ANI

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