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 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.
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