Thai football team mourn diver who lost his life trying to save them from flooded cave

The twelve boys who were rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand have paid an emotional tribute to the diver who died trying to save them.

Members of the ‘Wild Boar’ football team broke down in tears as they wrote messages on a drawing of Thai navy SEAL Saman Kunan.

The diver died while installing oxygen tanks along the passageways of the Tham Luang cave, where the boys and their coach were trapped.

The boys, aged 11 to 16, were later all successfully rescued and are recovering in hospital – but have only now learned of Kunan’s death.

In a statement, the Thailand health ministry said that the boys were upset when told what happened.

It said: ‘All cried and expressed their condolences by writing messages on a drawing of Lieutenant Commander Saman and observed one minute of silence for him.’

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Photos show the youngsters crowded around a sketch of Kunan, writing messages on it and bowing their heads in commemoration.

The statement added: ‘They also thanked him and promised to be good boys.’

Tributes from Thailand and around the world have poured in for Mr Saman, a triathlete and diver who retired from the military in 2006.

The Thai navy SEAL volunteered to help with the rescue in northern Thailand.

The boys, who were located by two British divers, were sedated and carried through the cave in the dangerous rescue mission.

Health officials say the boys recovered from their ordeal quickly and all are expected to leave hospital on Thursday.

Experts say the group will need to be monitored for signs of psychological distress that may take months to affect them.