Australia honors bravery of divers involved in Thai cave rescue

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia gave state honors on Tuesday to nine people who helped rescue most of a Thai boys’ soccer team trapped in a flooded cave, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull saying their teamwork had set an example for world leaders.

The rescue of the 12 members of the “Wild Boars” team and their coach drew divers and volunteers from around the world. The last of the group was brought to safety from the Tham Luang cave in the northern Thai province of Chiang Rai on July 10.

Turnbull hastened the usual honors approval process and held a ceremony to recognize the Australians involved in a drama that gripped the world for weeks, which he called an extraordinary international effort.

“If only leaders were as collaborative as you were,” Turnbull said at the event, attended by the Thai ambassador to Australia. “You held up an example to us all.”

Australia’s governor-general, Peter Cosgrove, gave its second-highest bravery award, the Star of Courage, to anesthetist Richard Harris and veterinarian Craig Challen, who abandoned holiday plans to take a central role in the mission.

Australia's Richard Harris shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull as he stands with Craig Challen and members of the Australian Federal Police, all of whom were part of the Thailand cave rescue team, during an official ceremony at Government House in Canberra, Australia, July 24, 2018. AAP/Sean Davey/via REUTERS