A dozen Australian defence and police specialists have joined in the rescue of a young soccer team trapped in a flooded Thai cave complex.
Six dive specialists from the Australian Federal Police are already assisting the Royal Thai Navy.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says those numbers will be bolstered by two Australian Defence Force disaster recovery experts and another senior AFP officer.
The boys, aged 11-16, and their 25-year-old coach disappeared after they went exploring in the cave in northern Chiang Rai province on June 23.
The team became trapped inside when heavy rains flooded the cave, but were found by rescue divers late on Monday night.
The desperate search has drawn assistance from experts around the globe, including six dive specialists from the Australian Federal Police.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that number would be bolstered by the two Australian Defence Force disaster recovery experts.
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"We're also sending more Federal Police specialists," Ms Bishop said.
"We're also providing crisis rescue support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, we now have about 11 or more people assisting in this very critical rescue."
She said the rescue is reaching a "very critical stage".
"At this point, the Thai navy divers have provided the boys and their coach with food and water and medicines," she said. "However, it's still not known how they'll actually be able to recover them."
