The group entered the caves at Vitarelles on November 11 but severe storms in the region caused waters to rise, cutting them off from exits. Their plight had gripped the nation as scores of experts scoured the caves for signs of the seven. The men were finally found on Sunday afternoon when rescuers squeezed down a shaft drilled through the rock and, moving along an underground river, came across two of the missing men edging towards them.

The other five were found, as rescuers had predicted, in the main chamber of the caves, the ``Cle de Voute''cavern, where the group had set up a tent.

The youngest of the men, Nicolas Wioland, a 19-year-old soldier, was winched up to the surface just before midnight. The last of the seven, 42-year-old Philippe Verger, was rescued at 0115 GMT on Monday. Rescuers said all themen, who looked in good shape, had suffered from the cold but none had major injuries.