A Thai navy SEAL who helped rescue a soccer team from a cave has died from an infection he contracted during the mission
- One of the Thai navy SEALs who helped rescue a boys' soccer team from a cave in 2018 died on Friday after an infection he contracted during the mission spread to his bloodstream.
- Petty Officer 1st Class Beirut Pakbara was one of the divers who swam out the soccer team one by one in a risky two-week operation. All twelve boys and their assistant coach survived the ordeal, but Officer Pakbara is the second diver to have died as a result of the rescue.
- Pakbara was buried on Friday at Talosai mosque and will be posthumously promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He will also receive a royal decoration and 465,000 baht (around 15,500 USD) will be donated to his family.
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A navy SEAL who helped rescue a boys' soccer team from a flooded cave in July 2018 died on Friday of an infection contracted during the mission.
Petty Officer 1st Class Beirut Pakbara had been battling the infection for a year and a half. Despite receiving treatment, the infection spread to his bloodstream, resulting in his death.
In June 2018, a boys' soccer team and their assistant coach became trapped in Tham Luang Nang Non Cave after a rainy season flash flood. Petty Officer Pakbara was one of the navy SEAL divers that swam the boys out one by one over a two-week period. All members of the soccer team survived, but one of the rescuers, retired navy diver Sanam Kunam, died during the operation while delivering oxygen tanks to the boys.
Pakbara was buried on Friday at the Talosai mosque in Langu District, reported the Bangkok Post. He will receive a royal decoration and a posthumous promotion to the rank of lieutenant, as well as funds amounting to 465,000 baht (around 15,500 USD).
The Royal Thai Navy announced Pakbara's death on its Facebook page on Friday, "Mourning Sgt. Beirut Pakbara, the hero of the cave."