Thai cave rescue: These are the heroes who made it all possible

After more than two weeks of being trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave that culminated in a gruelling three-day rescue operation, all 12 boys and their football coach are finally free.

Divers had braved narrow crevices and strong currents to reach the group -- a feat even for the most skilled of rescuers -- while the rest of the world watched with bated breath.

Following the successful rescue mission that "the world will never forget", the Thai navy SEALs posted on Facebook: "We are not sure if this is a miracle, or science, or what.All the 13 Wild Boars are now out of the cave."

Top row from left: Chanin Vibulrungruang, 11; Mongkol Booneiam, 12 or 13; Somepong Jaiwong, 13; Panumas Sangdee, 13; Duganpet Promtep, 13; Middle row from left: Ekarat Wongsukchan, 14; Adul Sam-on, 14; Nattawut Takamrong, 14; Pipat Pho, 15; Prajak Sutham, 15; Bottom row from left: Pornchai Kamluang, 16; Peerapat Sompiangjai, 17; and their coach, Ekapol Chanthawong, 25. (Photos: Facebook)

All 12 boys, aged between 11 and 16, and their 25-year-old coach are receiving medical care at Chiang Rai Prachanukroh hospital.

Despite losing an average of 2kg during their ordeal, most of them are otherwise in good health and "not stressed".

At a news conference after the rescue, operation chief Mr Narongsak Osatanakorn said: "We have done something that no one expected that we could complete. It was an impossible mission."

On Tuesday, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took to Facebook to express his delight and relief over the mission's success.

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Calling it a "remarkable display of the strength of the human spirit", PM Lee added: "It is an inspiring tale of what different nations and groups can achieve by working together."

Social media and news outlets have also commended those who made the rescue mission possible, from divers who were directly involved in the hazardous operation to everyday people who contributed what they could.

Here is a list of real-life heroes who deserve recognition for saving 13 lives, as compiled by Facebook user Anindya Ghose.

1. British cave explorer Vern Unsworth

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Having been in Tham Luang cave multiple times, Mr Vern Unsworth used his expert knowledge to lead rescuers to the stranded team's location.

Based in Chiang Rai, he also roped in some of the world's best divers to join the search.

Without him, the rescue mission might have never come to fruition, according to the Facebook post.

2. Coach Ekapol Chanthawong

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Despite losing his entire family at the tender age of 10, assistant coach Ekapol Chanthawong remained resilient, trained as a monk and devoted his life to helping children.

He has been credited for helping the 12 boys to survive in the cave by teaching them meditation, giving them all his food and most of his water before rescuers located the group.

3. Former Thai Navy SEAL diver Saman Guran

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Former military diver Saman Guran died on July 5 while delivering oxygen tanks to the cave.

The 38-year-old became unconscious, reportedly due to a lack of oxygen, and was declared dead after unsuccessful attempts to revive him.

4. British cave divers John Volanthen and Rick Stanton

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Universally regarded as the best cave divers in the world, John Volanthen and Rick Stanton gallantly led the peril-fraught operation.

And it's not their first time participating in risky rescue missions to save lives either.

5. Farmers living near the cave

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Farmers residing near the cave had no qualms sacrificing their fields and livelihood so that water could be pumped out from the caves.

This was even though it meant losing an entire year's worth of crops.

6. Locals who cooked and delivered food

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For over two weeks, volunteers cooked and delivered food to the rescue team -- for free.

No distance was too great, as they cycled and biked from hundreds of kilometres away.

7. A woman who cooked Halal food

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Realising that Muslim cave divers would require Halal food, a Muslim woman solved that need with her selflessness.

Working with a team, she cooked and provided the team with free Halal meals.

8. A local laundry shop owner

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This woman and her team of cleaners took care of the rescuers' clothes.

She helped to wash and dry-clean their clothing every day, also for free.

9. A local dive shop owner

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A small business owner supplied the rescue team with free oxygen tanks and diving gear.

10. Hundreds of volunteers

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Volunteers tirelessly involved in the mission were said to have numbered hundreds. They include bird nest collectors and a water pumping team.

ALSO READ: Thai cave rescue: Birds-nest collectors, water pump operators return home to applause

"They come in all shapes and sizes," said the Facebook post.

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Added the Facebook user: "Sometimes, the worst of times brings out the best in people."

And as the saying goes, not all heroes wear capes.