When the situation seemed desperate, with oxygen levels dwindling in the cave, more rains on the way, and news of the death of one of the rescuers, new hope has emerged for the 12 children and their coach, trapped for 13 days in the Tham Luang cave in Thailand. The diggers have reportedly managed to locate a tunnel, about one meter in diameter, just 150-200 meters from where the group is located. "The chances of getting closer are high," said the president of the Thai engineers. A new route, an alternative to the extremely dangerous underwater route, gives hope to the rescuers, now exhausted and dejected after the death of a former Navy SEAL last night. He was 38 years old and already considered a hero: while carrying oxygen tanks into the cave, where oxygen levels are now in short supply (it has dropped to the dangerous level of 15% compared to the average of 21%), he ran out of air. It's unclear whether the cause was a lack of oxygen during the dive or a malfunctioning tank. This tragedy has left rescuers in despair, even as they struggle to recover the boys: if an expert could die on the arduous journey separating the boys from safety, there's concern about whether the young men, exhausted and weakened after nearly two weeks, will be able to make the transfer. The transfer, however, remains "extremely urgent": "We must hurry," is the watchword repeated among rescuers at the entrance to the cave, where desperate families are also waiting, praying to see their boys safe and sound again soon. The new alarm, in addition to the risk of further rain, is triggered precisely by the lack of oxygen: while they are trying to determine whether the new tunnel might be the solution, rescuers are hauling a tube into the cave to "pump" air.
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