The vs zero article

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

… two missing explorers have been found safe and sound.

(a) The
(b) -

 Is there much difference between the definite article and zero one when used in the sentence above?

 Thanks..
2

The usual difference.
The explorers have been specified in (a) - we are speaking about this particular pair of explorers;
(b) is more general.