Search and rescue teams are looking for a dozen members of a youth soccer team who are missing, believed to be trapped in a cave in northern Thailand.

Police said local authorities, police and rescue workers were working with divers to find the 12 boys, aged 11‑15, and their coach, who are believed to have entered the Tham Luang Nang cave in Chiang Rai province.

The group were apparently trapped when a heavy storm flooded a stream at the cave's entrance.

Footage on Thai television showed bikes and backpacks left at the cave entrance.

Navy SEAL divers were trying to reach a large chamber deep inside the cave complex where officials thought the students might be.

The cave is a tourist attraction but can flood severely during Thailand's wet season, which runs from June to October.

[Source:Abc.net.au]