Thai Cave Rescue: Boys Mourn the Navy SEAL Who Died Saving Them

They also thanked the Navy SEAL and promised to be good boys.

The soccer team of 12 boys posing with a portrait of the Thai Navy SEAL who died while rescuing them from a Thai cave. 

(Photo Courtesy: Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital)

The 12 boys and their coach rescued from a cave in Thailand after two weeks of entrapment mourned the death of the ex-navy SEAL, who died while taking part in the rescue, AFP reported quoting the Thai health ministry on Sunday, 15 July.

The Wild Boars boys soccer team expressed their grief by writing messages around a portrait of the former Navy SEAL diver. All the boys cried and observed one-minute silence.

"They also thanked him and promised to be good boys," said Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, permanent secretary at the health ministry to AFP.

The team observing silence to mourn the death of the Navy SEAL.Photo: Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital

The boys were told about his death only on Saturday, 14 July, after the medical team ensured they were mentally strong to handle the news, AFP reported. His wife urged the boys not to blame themselves for his death.

The deceased Navy SEAL was cremated on Saturday, 14 July, in a special ceremony sponsored by the Thai royal family, Reuters reported.

All 12 boys have been in Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital since they were rescued, and are expected to be discharged from the hospital next week, health minister Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn told Reuters.