Jan Kamzin-Rumby

The decision to halt the search for the two remaining victims ends more than two weeks of international rescue efforts.

Rescue workers say the risks of continuing the search now outweigh the small chances of successfully rescuing the missing men.

Five were rescued last week, but two are still thought to be trapped inside the flooded cave.

All seven men had climbed into the cave in central Laos looking for gold and were trapped when a flash flood blocked their exit.

For NPR News, I'm Jan Kamzin-Rumby in Taipei.