Hungry and weak, the Laos cave survivors huddled together in damp darkness for 11 days, clinging to hope as a wall of water blocked their way out.

Some of those freed from a flooded cave in Laos are helping in efforts to find the last two missing men trapped inside, rescuers have said.

Australian cave diver Josh Richards told dpa that he, French cave expert Robin Cuesta and soldiers found the opening after trekking through dense forest in the mountainous Xaisomboun province.