The big operation to free the twelve children and the coach from the flooded cave in Thailand is in progress since six in the morning (Cyprus time), after almost two weeks of staying in the bowels of the earth.
The operation involves thirteen world-class specialist divers who have arrived in Thailand from countries with relevant expertise in speleology and five members of the Thai Navy's selected SEAL unit.
Lieutenant General Kongcheep Tantrawanit told the AFP news agency:
"Four more of the boys are expected to leave the cave soon. The four children have reached the third exit stage and are expected to leave the cave as soon as possible ".
Chiang Rai Health Department chief and member of the rescue team Tossathep Boonthong, confirmed the rescue of the first two children.
"Two children are outside the cave, but have not yet been taken to hospital."
Thirteen medical staffs are waiting ready to help outside the cave.
Each staff is for each cage and consists of a helicopter and an ambulance.
Reuters reports that five emergency doctors are waiting for the children at Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital, while another 30 doctors are on standby.
According to some Thai media, the first two children have been rescued and have come out of the cave.
However, there is no official confirmation.
Cave explorer Emily Davis said the rescuers were the best of their kind but should be on alert and reserved just in case.
The twelve children and their football coach, who are trapped in a cave in Thailand, will leave "one by one" and this delicate operation will last "two to three days", the team created for crisis management.
"They will come out one by one, this will take two to three days," said Tsalongchai Tsayakorn, one of the officials on the crisis management team.