Five sets of martyrs' remains found in collapsed rock cave in Da Nang

Five sets of martyrs' remains have been discovered in the Đá Sập cave in Hà Nha village, Da Nang City, believed to be from a battle in 1969. This marks a significant initial success in Vietnam's "500-Day Operation to Search, Collect, and Identify Martyrs' Remains." The remains were found mixed with mud and debris deep within the cave, in an area buried by a landslide. Numerous personal belongings, including shoes, ballpoint pens, hairpins, medicine bottles, food containers, and ammunition, were also unearthed alongside the remains, offering valuable insights into the wartime conditions and soldiers' lives. Historical records indicate that the Đá Sập cave was once used as a hiding place for food, weapons, and ammunition for the Quảng Đà battlefield. In April 1969, enemy airstrikes and artillery fire caused the cave entrance to collapse, trapping many soldiers inside. Prior to the search, authorities verified information through interviews with veterans and historical witnesses. Based on these findings, the military conducted demining operations before commencing the remains collection. The Da Nang Military Command stated that the discovery confirms the reliability of historical data and testimonies, providing a basis for expanding the search for other martyrs possibly still within the cave. The exhumation was conducted swiftly and safely, with artifacts preserved for identification. The five sets of remains are scheduled for a memorial and burial on the afternoon of July 14th at the Đại Đồng Martyrs' Cemetery in Hà Nha village.