All 12 boys and their football coach have been rescued from the Thai cave after 18 days ordeal, the Thai Navy SEALs said in a Facebook post, adding they were “safe”.

“All 12 ‘Wild Boars’ and coach have been extracted from the cave,” the post said, adding “all are safe” and signing off with a simple “Hooyah”.

Four divers who stayed with the group were still to emerge, it added.