The sect members were originally supposed to have left the cave Monday but for unexplained reasons they didn't appear at a gathering of local residents and journalists, ITAR-TASS reported.

Last year, 35 people fearing the end of the world was approaching went down into the cave, located in the settlement of Nikolskoye on Bering Island.

In March, 24 sect members left the cave but the rest stayed inside.

Authorities are investigating the sect's leader on charges of creating an association that encroaches on the minds and rights of citizens and instigates religious strife.