South Wales men rescued after being trapped for 16 hours in one of UK's biggest cave networks
The "inexperienced cavers" were found by 60 volunteer rescuers
Two cavers were rescued by 60 volunteers after being trapped underground in a Welsh caving system for more than 16 hours.
Concern came over the explorers, aged 19 and 30, after they failed to return from a "gruelling" cave network in south-eastern Powys.
The "inexperienced" cavers became trapped when exploring the complex Ogof y Daren Cilau caving system in Llangattock, near Crickhowell.
The South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team (SMWCRT) were called to successfully rescue the two men when they didn't resurface as planned on Saturday (8 January) morning.
It's not the first time that SMWCRT caving experts have been called upon recently, after they famously rescued George Linnane, who was stuck in a cave in the Brecon Beacons for more than two days last November.
A lesson learned
Ogof y Daren Cilau is said to be a challenging network of caves, complete with a passage - known as the 'time machine' - thought to be the longest in the UK.
The 517m entrance crawl to get into the cave makes it difficult for any caver, and unsuitable for casual explorers.
Dyfed Powys Police Chief Inspector Jacqui Lovatt said: "The missing individuals were inexperienced cavers.
"At 8.15am on Saturday, January 8, we received a report of two males, aged 19 and 30, who had been reported missing having left their homes in south Wales the previous afternoon.
"We attended Daren Cilau Caves near Crickhowell. A search commenced involving police and the South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue Team.
"Following an extensive search they were located safe and well, following around a 1km descent by rescue teams. After an initial assessment, thankfully both missing persons were located safe and well, at 3.50pm.
"They had been stuck down the cave for over 16 hours, having gone caving on the Friday."
Chief Inspector Lovatt added: "The cave system itself is described as one of the biggest in the UK, covering an area of approximately 40km, with a large number of varying routes available within the system."
South & Mid Wales Cave Rescue team said: "We were called out to two cavers long overdue in the Daren Cilau system on the Llangattock Escarpment, a cave infamous for its gruelling entrance crawls.
"Fortunately they were soon located and supported back through the entrance crawl before being rewarmed."