A tourist from Ramanathapuram who went missing inside the Guna Cave near here was on Sunday declared dead by police after sustained rescue efforts turned out to be in vain.
The victim, Karthick (23), an electrician, arrived in Kodaikanal along with six of his friends for a picnic, on Saturday, police sources said.
After visiting other tourist spots, the friends reached Guna Cave.
Though entry into the cave has been restricted by the Forest Department, Karthick and his friends went inside.
However, after emerging from the cave, Karthick told his friends that he lost his mobile phone inside.
Asking them to wait outside, Karthick went in again to search for his phone.
As there was no sign of Karthick even after a long time passed, they went in after him but could not trace him. They subsequently informed forest officials.
A police team led by Inspector Seemaichamy, along with personnel from the forest and fire departments, then launched a search operation at noon. Roadside vendors in the vicinity also pitched in, but by evening, with visibility diminishing, the search yielded no fruit.
The search operation resumed on Sunday morning and went on, in vain, till noon, after which police declared that Karthick was dead. His parents were also informed.
Over 16 bodies of persons who went missing in the Guna Cave have not been recovered till date, police sources said.
Police said they searched to the maximum extent possible inside the tricky cave, but to no avail.