The coach of the youth football team trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand has offered his "apologies to the parents" of the boys.
The Thai Navy on Saturday released a scrawled note written by the 25-year old man who led the boys to the cave.
Ekkapol Chantawong was the only adult with the children — aged 11 to 16 — who were discovered on a muddy ledge by rescue divers on Monday after being lost for nine days.
"To all the parents, all the kids are still fine. I promise to take the very best care of the kids," he said in a note given to a diver on Friday. "Thank you for all the moral support and I apologise to the parents."
The Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page shared the note on Saturday.
"To my grandma and aunt, I'm here. Don't be too worried. Please take care," he added in the letter.
It is the first message from the coach, whose role in the team's predicament has split Thai social media.
Many have lauding him after reports he gave his share of food to the kids before they were located and helped them get through nine days in the darkness.
Others have criticised him for agreeing to take the young boys into the cave during the monsoon season.
The group entered the cave on June 23 and got trapped as floodwaters tore in.
Thailand is holding its breath for the safe return of the group, with heavy rains forecast and fears mounting over the falling amount of oxygen and high level of water in the cave.
The rescue efforts are being delayed as the only viable option is to train the boys to swim and dive. No rescue attempt will be made Saturday evening, Thai authorities have said, because the boys are not yet strong enough divers. The governor of Chiang Rai, Narongsak Osottanakorn, told a press conference he wanted a rescue plan that posed the minimum risk.
Earlier in the day, there were unconfirmed reports circulating that the authorities may begin the rescue mission tonight due to fears that forecast torrential rains would further endanger the trapped football team.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has announced that he is in contact with the Thai authorities and has sent a team of engineers from The Boring Company, who will accompany SpaceX employees to aid the rescue effort in Tham Luang.
(With PTI Inputs)
