The boys and their coach were located by two British divers, who struggled through narrow passages and murky waters. Rescuers' video showed the boys sitting or standing barefoot on a rock wearing red or blue shirts.

In footage on Facebook released by the Thai Navy SEALs, a diver asks the boys in English, "How many are there of you?"

One of the boys replies, "Thirteen."

"Brilliant," replies the diver. Another diver can then be heard saying in amazement, "They're all alive."

The boys did not know how long they had been trapped in the cave, and even asked what day it was.

Crying "thank you, thank you" in English, some of the boys were seen wiping away tears of joy on seeing the rescuers, asking them when they can get out.

"Not today, not today, we're coming, many people are coming," the rescuers told the boys, comforting and assuring them of their safety and telling them of the efforts being made to get them to safety as soon as possible.