Thai cave rescue: Operation resumes on day 3 to free final 5

"It is made of rocket parts & named Wild Boar after kids' soccer team".

This brings the total number of boys rescued from the Tham Luang cave complex up to 11.

The Thai Navy Seals said they expect the final phase of the rescue mission to take longer than the nine hour operation on day two, based on the need to extract the final five and the three Seals and medic keeping them company.

Spicy Thai basil leaves on rice, or Pad Krapao, was the meal of choice for the four Mu Pa Academy football players after they were rescued from Tham Luang Cave on Sunday, rescue mission chief Narongsak Osottanakorn said on Monday.

Four boys and the coach are still trapped. Authorities have said the mission could take up to four days to complete and heavy rain is forecast in the coming days.

All preparations, including replacing the oxygen cylinders positioned along the route out in the cave, take at least 20 hours, he said.

Four boys and the coach are still trapped deep inside, and authorities have indicated they're continuing with their so-far successful effort to bring the boys out guided by experienced divers.

However, doctors later relented after some of the boys asked for bread with chocolate spread.

Rescue personnel prepare the transport for the evacuation of the boys and theirÊsoccer coach trapped in a flooded cave, in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand, July 10, 2018 in this photo obtained from social media.

But with oxygen levels inside dropping to unsafe lows and the prospect of heavy rains flooding the area completely, authorities decided they had to move quickly, and take the group out through the water-filled tunnels.

The four boys pulled from the cave Sunday in an urgent and unsafe operation that involved them diving through the cave's dark, tight and twisting passages were happy and in good health, authorities said.

Two of the boys are thought to have lung infections, but there are no serious complaints to report.

"The kids are footballers so they have high immune systems", Jedsada said.

Writing in elegant Thai script, the boys urged their parents not to worry, adding that they hoped they wouldn't get too much homework after being rescued and couldn't wait to eat their favorite foods again.

"Give us three more days and the Boars will come out to see the world, every one of them", Maj-Gen.

It could be at least seven days before they can be released from hospital, Jesada said.

It was clear doctors were taking a cautious approach.

Families of the first four have been able to see their children through a glass window, Chokedamrongsook said.

They will join four other boys who were rescued on Sunday.

American billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk tweeted Monday that he had visited the cave and left behind a mini-sub rescue vehicle "in case it may be useful in the future".

The ups and downs of the rescue bid have entranced Thailand and also fixated a global audience, drawing comments of support from celebrities as varied as US President Donald Trump, football star Lionel Messi and tech guru Elon Musk.