
Inside one of the world’s most ambitious rescue missions.
On June 23, 2018, twelve young soccer players and their coach set off to explore a cave in northern Thailand, becoming trapped 4KM deep inside it.
With threats of floods from heavy rains looming, the clock ticking and the world watching, one of the most dangerous – and time-sensitive – rescue operations in history was underway.
Thousands were involved in the mission to save the team, including more than 50 divers from Australia, China, Finland, the United Kingdom, the United States and other nations that joined Thai forces in the gargantuan undertaking.
This is the story of how a massive effort became an even bigger miracle.
WATCH:
PHOTO GALLERY

A pair of soccer shoes are left next to bicycles from a group of missing boys at the entrance of a deep cave in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, Monday, June 25, 2018. (Thai News Pix via AP)

Thai soldiers march to the cave area where they continue the search for a young soccer team and their coach believed to be missing inside, Wednesday, June 27, 2018, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

In this July 3, 2018, image taken from video provided by the Royal Thai Navy Facebook Page, a Thai Navy SEAL medic helps an injured child inside a cave in Mae Sai, northern Thailand. (Royal Thai Navy Facebook Page via AP)

In this handout file photo released by Tham Luang Rescue Operation Center, Monday, July 2, 2018, Thai rescue teams walk inside the cave complex where 12 boys and their soccer coach went missing in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. (Tham Luang Rescue Operation Center via AP, File)

A Thai rescuer prepares oxygen tanks for diving after the 12 boys and their soccer coach were found alive, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, in northern Thailand, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thai rescuers prepare for diving after the 12 boys and their soccer coach were found alive, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, in northern Thailand, Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thai media listen Chiang Rai province acting Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn, who is leading the ongoing rescue operation of the soccer team and coach trapped in a flooded cave, during a press conference in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Tuesday, July 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

In this July 3, 2018, file image taken from video provided by the Royal Thai Navy Facebook Page, the boys smile as Thai Navy SEAL medic help injured children inside a cave in Mae Sai, northern Thailand. (Royal Thai Navy Facebook Page via AP, File)

In this undated photo released by Royal Thai Navy on Saturday, July 7, 2018, Thai rescue team members walk inside a cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. (Royal Thai Navy via AP)

A Thai artist works on a giant painting on the recuse mission to save 12 soccer boys and their coach at Tham Luang cave complex, in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Thai rescue teams arrange a water pumping system at the entrance to a flooded cave complex where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. (Royal Thai Navy via AP, File)

Rescuers hold an evacuated boy inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, in northern Thailand. (Thai NavySEAL Facebook Page via AP, File)

Members of rescued soccer team pay their respects and thanks in front of a portrait of Saman Gunan, the retired Thai SEAL diver who died during their rescue attempt, in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Thursday, July 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Soccer coach Ekkapol Chantawong, center, lights a candle as he and members of the rescued soccer team attend a Buddhist ceremony that is believed to extend the lives of its attendees as well as ridding them of dangers and misfortunes, in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)