Thai cave rescue: Journalist detained for drone stunt

A journalist has been detained after flying a drone above the flooded Thai cave where the Wild Boars soccer team was trapped.

On Sunday, a drone was seen flying over the Tham Luang cave system, hovering dangerously close to a rescue helicopter.

“This is really wrong," rescue leader Narongsak Osottanakorn told the The Guardian.

It is believed the drone was flown to allow a media team closer access to the cave entrance where the 12 boys and their football coach were being evacuated into ambulances.

The drone’s operator reportedly claimed he had received permission from a Thai air force officer to use the drone; a claim later denied by the Royal Thai Air Force.

The world’s media had initially been stationed outside the cave before they were moved 3km away to help clear the path for rescuers and emergency services.