Frightened residents demand explanation of cave sounds

Frightened residents of the remote Al Jeer area are appealing to the local and federal authorities for a convincing explanation of the mysterious sounds emanating from a nearby cave. They have rejected claims that the sounds are caused by owls or other birds, but want an explanation for a phenomenon which some say is making their lives a nightmare.

Local resident Ahmed Al Shehi said, "Everybody has been airing opinions to explain the odd phenomenon, but no one has been able to offer any sound proof or proper interpretation of these sounds."

Even if residents are forced to accept an explanation merely to close this chapter, "the minds and hearts of the residents will never feel at rest until the mystery is resolved."

He said the sounds could not be those of an owl because residents, particularly the elderly, have lived here all their lives and know the sounds of owls and those of other birds and animals.

"Even if it were the sound of a bird or other animal, those creatures would have left the cave when it was lit up with huge lights. They would have also been scared away by the people visiting the area and firing their guns," Al Shehi said. Resident Ali Al Bahar said residents were frightened at first, but now they are used to it.

Residents have been trying to trace the source of the sounds, but whenever they near a certain place, the sounds move elsewhere. "Had it been a bird's song, it would have been so easy for thousands of people who gather in the place daily to recognise it," he said. He also found it strange that the sounds are audible only at night.

Resident Hassan Ahmed said, "It is not an acceptable explanation to say that it is a bird's song since no bird on earth can produce such a loud sound." Residents would accept the idea that it is a bird if they could be persuaded that these birds "have the most up-to-date loudspeakers," he said.

The voices have been coming from the mountain for two months and if it were a bird, it could not have such perfect timing to be heard at a specific time of night, nor would it stay in the same place for such a long time, he said.

Senior citizens who were taken to the mountain confirmed that it was not the sound of any bird or animal. "When they were asked if they could identify the voices, they said they were 'strange' and that they had never heard such sounds before."

He said that people continue to gather near the mountain every night, staying throughout the night and leaving only when the sounds stop. Resident Mohammed Ali Matar said that it was the responsibility of the authorities to explore the cave, arrive at a plausible explanation and "put an end to this controversy".