Former navy diver dies during operation to save the people trapped in Thailand cave

He died while placing air tanks around the Tham Luang caves in northern Thailand

A former navy diver named Saman Kunan has died during an attempted rescue to help the people that are trapped in the Tham Luang cave in northern Thailand. Mr Kunan passed away after running out of air while diving in the caves where the 12 boys and their football coach are trapped. The 38-year-old died while placing air tanks around the cave. After attempting to come back to the surface he lost consciousness. His diving partner performed CPR but the efforts were tragically in vain. The Thai Armed Force offered their condolences to Saman’s family and wrote that "Cave diving is one of the most difficult jobs in the world." The boys are are believed to be between 800m and 1km below the surface and the authorities have reported that the level of oxygen in the cave has now dropped to to 15 per cent - the usual level is around 21 per cent. As reported by The Guardian, Chalongchai Chaiyakham , the deputy army commander, has said that: "The top priority today is to fill the air inside [where the boys are]. We’ve got to finish laying the air pipe today ... With the air filled, the kids could stay for months." Rescue workers, divers and soldiers are continuing to arrive and help pump water from the cave but authorities have said that they're "racing against the rain." Monsoon showers are also predicted this weekend. The King of Thailand has announced that Mr Kunan’s funeral will be royally-sponsored.