By Zhao Yipu from People’s Daily
In the evening of July 2, when all the 12 boys and their football coach who were trapped in a flooded cave in northern Thailand for nine days were finally discovered, Thai rescuers extended their sincere thanks to a Chinese private rescue group for the latter’s generous help in the rescue.
After the incident happened, Green Boat Emergency Rescue sent an experienced 5-member team to join the search and rescue work at the invitation of related Thai departments to search for the missing football members on June 29.
“We received warm thanks from the Thai people, and we are all excited,” said Wang Xudong, who was in charge of the rescue mission of the Green Boat Emergency Rescue.
Before the Chinese rescue team officially joined the mission, it had already offered much assistance to Thailand, including massif and cave measuring, as well as cave locating. The efforts of the Chinese side were highly appreciated by Thailand.
After arriving at the site, the Green Boat Emergency Rescue worked at the command center run by the Thai army, to search for channels that lead to the inside of the cave.
In order to find ways to the cave, the Chinese rescue team traveled long distance in the mountain. They had to immediately devote themselves to work every time they arrived at a pre-planned location though they were almost exhausted from carrying the heavy equipment.
Their hard work, capabilities, as well as techniques and attitude, won them high reputation from their Thai peers.
Most of the Green Boat Emergency Rescue members were born in the 1970s and 1980s. Having participated in a series of major rescue missions such as the 2014 Typhoon Rammasun, 2014 Ludian earthquake, and 2015 Nepal earthquake, they have gained rich experiences in rescue.
Secretary Dong Ping of the rescue organization told People’s Daily that most of the members hope to realize their personal values, and most of the rescue missions they join are difficult and dangerous.
Both Thai government and people expressed their sentiment and gratitude to the participating foreign rescue teams, and the Chinese team was also impressed by the close bond between China and Thailand. The member of the Green Boat Emergency Rescue said that their tents were always refilled with food every night they were back from rescue site.
Thai ambassador to China Piriya Khempon spoke highly of the private Chinese rescue team after the latter finished the mission and came back to Beijing. He said the Chinese rescue team demonstrated high professionalism and the spirit of collaboration.
“China and Thailand are friendly neighbors, and the Thai people are grateful to the assistance from their Chinese friends,” the ambassador noted.
Pic:
Members of the Green Boat Emergency Rescue search for trapped Thai people at the cave entrance. (File photo)
人民日报记者 赵益普
7月2日当晚，被困山洞达9天的12名泰国足球少年和他们的教练，终于被救援人员发现。和绿舟救援队驻扎在一起的泰国救援人员来到他们的帐篷，大家互相拥抱致谢。“泰国民众说了很多感谢的话，大家都很激动。”担任此次绿舟救援队前方总指挥的王旭东笑着说。
就在几天前，中国的志愿者团队绿舟联盟正式收到了泰国相关机构的邀请，请求他们派出人员参与救援。接到通知后，绿舟联盟立即组织有洞穴救援经验的队员备勤，并于29日派出5名队员赴泰参与救援。
在正式参与救援前，他们已经为泰方提供了许多帮助，包括测量山体数据、溶洞信息，通过技术手段提前研判洞穴疑似点位等，得到了泰方的一致肯定。
来到救援地点后，绿舟救援队被分配到了由泰国陆军负责的山体救援指挥中心，负责从山体寻找进入溶洞内部的其他通道。
绿舟救援队是在山体救援中心驻扎的唯一外国救援队。找山体表面通往溶洞的通道，自然少不了走大量山路。每抵达一个事先预定好的搜救地点，背了很多专业设备的绿舟救援队队员们就立即投入工作，无论是体力、能力、技术还是工作态度，绿舟救援队都得到了泰国同行们的高度评价。
这支以70后、80后为主力的绿舟救援队经验丰富，此前队员们参与过威马逊台风、鲁甸地震、尼泊尔地震等一系列重大灾害的救援。北京绿舟应急救援促进中心秘书长董萍告诉记者，参与绿舟的志愿者主要是一种个人的价值追求，他们参与的救援工作技术难度和危险系数都非常高。
无论是泰国政府还是民众，都对前来参与救援的各国救援队十分友好和感激。让救援队感受到了“中泰一家”的深情厚谊。绿舟救援队的队员们说，每天晚上回到营地都会看到帐篷里多了很多好吃的。”
结束救援任务回到北京之后，泰国驻华大使毕力亚·针蓬高度赞扬这支中国民间志愿者队伍，并且表示中国救援队表现出高度的专业性和协作精神。“中泰两国是友好邻邦。泰国人民非常感谢中国朋友的帮助！”
资料图片：
中国绿舟救援队正在泰国被困人员所处洞口搜救
引自：人民日报