Thailand honours Aussie doctors for cave rescue

Friday, 19 April 2019 16:17

Two Australian doctors have been given royal honors in Thailand for helping rescue a boys’ football team from a flooded cave last year.

Richard Harris and Craig Challen were awarded at a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha at the Royal Thai Government House in Bangkok.

Both doctors, who are highly skilled divers, played key roles in rescuing members of the "Wild Boars" team and their 25-year-old coach from a cave complex in Chiang Rai province last July.

The dramatic mission, which lasted 18 days, gripped the attention of the world.

Harris and Challen will return to the Tham Luang cave on Monday to meet the boys and their coach.

The pair were in January named Australians of the Year, one of Australia's highest honours.

More from International News

Death toll from Venezuela quakes rises to 3,535 as thousands remain displaced

The death toll from Venezuela's twin earthquakes has risen to 3,535, authorities said on Monday, while nearly 18,000 people remain homeless more than a week after the disaster struck the capital and nearby coastal areas.
Russian strikes kill 26, exposing Ukraine air-defence shortages

Russia hammered Ukraine with missiles and drones early on Monday, killing at least 26 people and exposing Kyiv's critical shortage of US-made interceptors, officials said, just days after the deadliest attack on the Ukrainian capital this year.
Clashes escalate at Sri Lanka prison to leave 25 dead, many more injured

Twenty-five people were killed and about 100 injured as security officials struggled to contain two days of clashes between rival groups of inmates at a prison in Sri Lanka, authorities said on Monday, marking the deadliest such violence in years.
Six killed in India's Mumbai as rains wreak havoc, disrupt travel

At least six people have been killed when a group of buildings collapsed in the eastern suburbs of India's Mumbai on Sunday, the latest casualties of heavy rains that have disrupted travel and shut down schools in the city.
Wildfire in southern France forces 10,000 people from their homes

A wildfire burning out of control in southern France has forced the evacuation of over 10,000 people from two dozen small towns and villages near the Spanish border, and officials said on Monday strong winds would further fan the flames.

On Virgin Radio today

Non Stop Hits
Midnight - 6:00am

The UAE's #1 Hit Music Station with no interruptions
The Kris Fade Show
6:00am - 10:00am

Kris, Priti and Rossi host the UAE's biggest radio show. It's full of fun, laughs and it's Where The Stars Live.