For some, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's attempt to help the Thai cave rescue mission was admirable.

But others questioned his motivations and suggested his presence at the site might have been a distraction.

So why was he there? We've explained why here.

The Thai public broadcaster has tweeted footage of volunteers breaking into song after news of the successful rescue.

Our correspondent Howard Johnson met 64-year-old Manop Suksaard outside the hospital in Chiang Rai, where the boys are being treated.

Manop said Thais will support England tomorrow in their World Cup semi-final to show their gratitude to the British divers who found the boys and played a key part in the rescue.

More on those divers here: The Brits who helped find the boys

The search and rescue effort was described by the mission chief and Chiang Rai governor Narongsak Osottanakorn as a "United Nations team".

It involved personnel and volunteers from the UK, China, Myanmar, Laos, Australia, the US, Japan and many other countries.

Locals near the cave complex cooked food for those on site, cleaned divers' clothing and ferried others around for free.

Specialist divers from around the world risked their lives to enter the cave system in search of the boys.

The atmosphere now at the cave site is one of joy, but many will be thinking of Saman Gunan, the Thai ex-Navy diver who died while on a re-supply mission in the cave.

He will be honoured with a state funeral.

Many of the young football players are said to be fans of Manchester United football club.

The team has just posted on its Facebook page, external, inviting the boys to their Old Trafford stadium for a visit.

"Manchester United is greatly relieved to learn that the 12 footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand are now safe," the club said.

"We would be honoured to welcome the team from the Wild Boars Football Club and their rescuers to Old Trafford this coming season."

Angela Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, tweeted: "So much to admire: the perseverance of the brave boys and their coach, the ability and the determination of the rescuers."

The latest celebratory post from the rescue team reads:

"We don't know if this is a miracle, science, or what. All the 13 Wild Boars are now out of the cave."

No confirmation yet that the four remaining support divers are out.

The British prime minister has tweeted to pay tribute to those involved in the rescue.

The BBC's Howard Johnson is outside the hospital in Chiang Rai where the boys are being treated.

Ambulances have arrived at the hospital bearing those brought out today.

Image source, Getty Images

The news that all 12 boys and their coach have been rescued will come as a huge relief to millions in Thailand and around the world who have followed every step of this captivating story.

The boys - aged between 11 and 16 - ventured into the Tham Luang cave complex with their 25-year-old football coach, after a training session on 23 June.

It was dry when they climbed in but a sudden deluge of rain poured floodwaters into the cave, trapping them and forcing them to retreat further into the system.

News that they had gone missing sparked a massive search operation involving more than 1,000 people, with several expert cave divers from all around the world flying in to help out.

On 2 July, nine days later, British divers found the hungry and fatigued group huddled on a ledge in a cavern, sparking joyous scenes across Thailand.

Jubilation turned to grave concern after the military warned that the boys could have to wait for up to four months for floodwaters to recede before they could be rescued.

Divers brought food and other supplies, and a Navy doctor was sent in to care for the group.

On 6 July, former Thai navy diver Saman Gunan died after losing consciousness in the cave complex, where he had been delivering air tanks. His death underscored the dangers involved in the rescue operation.

Then on Sunday, Thai authorities decided they had to act, as fears mounted that the flooding would worsen under heavy rains.

And so a remarkable operation began to rescue the team. In three round trips, the boys were guided out by expert divers, navigating narrow and treacherous underwater passageways and pinch points so narrow that oxygen tanks had to be removed from their backs.

Four boys were brought out on Sunday, four on Monday, and the remaining four and their coach today.

The final part of the operation will be the emergence of four rescue divers, including one doctor, who remained in the chamber with the boys after they were found.

"Waiting to pick up four divers," the Thai Navy said on Facebook.

The Navy Seal team in charge of the rescue says that the 12 boys and their coach who were trapped in the cave have been brought out, completing an extraordinary and arduous rescue operation that captivated the world.

The Seal team posted to Facebook: "12 wild boars and coach out of the cave. Everyone safe. Hooyah."

A source inside the rescue operation has confirmed to the BBC that three people have been brought out of the caves today.

The day's operation began with four boys, their coach, one doctor, and three navy seals still in the system.

The Thai prime minister earlier confirmed reports that the boys had been given medication to prevent them panicking as they were brought out.

Prayut Chan-ocha said that they were not sedated, as some reports suggested, but given anti-anxiety medication similar to that taken by him and other soldiers.

“When we take this, we can be more focused and increase the chance of sharp shooting,” he said.

The Thai Navy Seals, who are leading the rescue operation, have posted to their Facebook page to say that the Wild Boars - the nickname of the boys' football team - will be reunited.

Whether that means all are now safely out of the cave, we don't yet know.

There has been a delay today in transferring the boys from the cave entrance to the helicopter but ambulances are now leaving the site, indicating they are on their way.

The helicopter takes them from the cave site to a hospital in Chiang Rai, where their teammates are being treated.

There were reportedly cheers as the first helicopter flew over the media and volunteer centres moments ago.

The third phase of the operation, to free the remaining four boys and their coach, is also the most demanding.

As well as bringing out five people instead of the four rescued on both Sunday and Monday, several support workers have to come out before the operation is complete.

A doctor who remained in the chamber with the boys after they were found and three navy divers are all still in the system.

Although the rescue operation has been a resounding success so far, the death of an experienced navy diver in the cave last week demonstrated the dangers involved.