On 13/7, the Da Nang City Military Command announced the discovery of five fallen soldiers' remains at Da Sap Cave in Ha Nha Commune. This finding marks the initial success of the "500 Days and Nights of Searching, Collecting, and Identifying Fallen Soldiers' Remains" operation.
 |
Search forces approach Da Sap Cave to look for the fallen soldiers' remains. Photo: Quang Cuong |
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, search teams accessed the site and meticulously removed layers of landslide debris. Deep inside the cave, soldiers discovered five sets of fallen soldiers' remains intermingled with mud, soil, and rubble.
Along with the remains, authorities recovered numerous artifacts, including: sandals, ballpoint pens, hairpins, medicine bottles, food containers, ammunition, and some bone fragments.
 |
Many artifacts, daily necessities, and combat tools were found along with some bone fragments of the fallen soldiers inside the cave. Photo: Quang Cuong |
According to historical records, Da Sap Cave served as a storage site for food, weapons, and ammunition for the Quang Da battlefield. In April 1969, enemy aircraft and artillery attacked the area, causing the cave entrance to collapse and burying many cadres and combatants inside.
Before commencing the search, authorities organized a workshop to verify information with the participation of veterans and historical witnesses. Based on this, Military Region 5 directed the Da Nang City Military Command to clear remaining bombs, mines, and explosives, and to organize the collection of remains.
 |
Soldiers move the fallen soldiers' remains out of Da Sap Cave. Photo: Quang Cuong |
According to the Da Nang City Military Command, the initial discovery of the five sets of remains confirms the reliability of historical documents and witness accounts. This provides a basis for expanding the search area for other fallen soldiers still inside the cave.
The excavation process was carried out swiftly, ensuring safety and preserving the original state of the artifacts to aid in identification. A memorial and reburial ceremony for the five fallen soldiers' remains is scheduled for the afternoon of 14/7 at Dai Dong Fallen Soldiers' Cemetery in Ha Nha Commune.
Ngoc Truong
