“It’s one of the longest cave systems in Thailand. It’s about 10 km (6.2 miles) long,” Reymenants said. “They’re exactly stuck in the middle of this system, meaning that yes, it’s a huge way to make it through, especially while swimming.”
But because most of the children, whose ages range from 11 to 16, can’t swim, the easiest rescue option would be to “keep pumping water out of the cave.”
3.1 miles is a long way in a situation like this.
How deep is it — how far down would a mine shaft have to be dug to get into that chamber?
"....But because most of the children, whose ages range from 11 to 16, can’t swim, the easiest rescue option would be to “keep pumping water out of the cave.”
Yes. Pump like crazy and let the kids walk and crawl out the same way they got in. Not as glamorous but the practical way to get them out.
Trying to drill a large bore hole to some location? That has worked in the Western world where you have good engineers, the equipment and the resolve to do it right. These will be Thai drilling crews doing it so based on my experience I would not bank on a good outcome trying to use a technical solution to the problem.
Pumping water? They can do that.