Thailand has transformed into a nation of celebration after authorities confirmed that all 12 boys of the Wild Boar football team and their coach had been rescued from Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand Tuesday night (NZ time).
Newshub Correspondent Conor Whitten said there was "jubilation" all over Thailand.
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These live updates have now finished.
9:00am: An image of the four men who stayed with the trapped Thai boys in Tham Luag cave since they were discovered has been shared on social media. The men are wearing sunglasses because they haven’t seen light for over a week.
6:30am: The boys haven't been able to hug or kiss their families yet. At least the first four boys have seen their families but it was from behind a glass window. There are some serious and unfamiliar diseases that lurk that far underground so the boys need to be tested first.
"We know that two of [the boys] are suffering from lung infections and are showing signs of pneumonia. But most of the boys are said to be safe and well," Newshub Correspondent Conor Whitten told The AM Show.
The boys haven't had any "real food" in 17 days. They requested Thai basil chicken as soon as they got out of the cave but that request was denied by officials. It's understood the boys have been slowly working their way back to solid foods and have started eating bread.
"The boys have to wear sunglasses inside the hospital just to get used to the light. It's going to be a long road to recovery for these boys," said Whitten.
6:00am: Newshub Correspondent Conor Whitten said there was "jubilation all over Thailand" when it was announced all boys had been rescued from the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai.
"There are amazing images of the rescue workers singing and dancing, there were cheers, there was laughter, and shouts at the cave site," Whitten told The AM Show on Wednesday.
"There was similar joy here at the press centre and volunteer centre as well. Every time we hear one of those helicopters go overhead it's another sign that a boy has made it to safety and every single one of those was greeted with cheers," he said.
"Throughout the streets of Chiang Rai, near the hospital, locals lined the streets just hoping for a glimpse of those boys to arrive. There were cheers every time an ambulance went past. The party has well and truly started here in Thailand and it will go long in to tonight."
4:15am: Elon Musk has fired back at the Head of the Joint Command Centre coordinating the misson, Narongsak Osatanakorn, after he turned down Musk's offer of help. Musk responded by suggesting Osatanakorn was no expert on the matter and posted an email chain with Richard Stanton, who co-led the dive rescue team.
3:30am: The boys are currently being kept in isolation to avoid infection and so haven't been able to see their parents yet. However, parents of the first four boys rescued have been able to look at their children through a glass wall.
2:55am: FIFA had initially hoped to host the boys at Monday's World Cup final but doctors have instructed them to stay in hospital for at least seven days. Manchester United, the club most of the team support, have offered to host them at Old Trafford though.
2:40am: The remaining Navy SEALs and medic are now out of the cave, meaning no one is in the cave.
2:20am: The Thai rescue story could be made into a Hollywood movie - Read more.
2:05am: The Guardian reports that the last three Navy SEALS and medic are still in the cave and on their way out, with an arrival time unknown.
1:45am: UK Prime Minister Theresa May has tweeted her delight at the successful rescue mission, saying the world will be "saluting the bravery of all those involved."
1:20am: The last of the boys are being air lifted to the hospital.
1:00am: US President Donald Trump has tweeted his congratulations to the divers calling it "a beautiful moment".
12:30am: Manchester United have invited the boys' team to Old Trafford in England.
11:50pm: Thai Navy SEALS confirm all 12 boys plus their coach have been rescued from the cave, bringing to an end a successful mission.
Newshub.
