Rescuers have located 12 boys and their football coach alive deep inside a partially flooded cave in northern Thailand more than a week after they went missing, bringing hope in a desperate search that has attracted international help and captivated the nation.

The regional Governor said the 13 were in the process of being rescued, but he cautioned that they were not out of danger yet.

The challenge now will be to extract the party safely, with rising water and mud impeding access.

Rescuers had hoped the group would find safety on a ledge in an underground chamber but they were reportedly found 400 metres away.

The boys aged 11 to 16 and their coach went to explore the caves on 23 June.

[Source: stuff.co.nz]