Rescuers in Italy working to free cave explorer trapped underground
16 December 2024, 12:34
Expert spelunker Ottavia Piana is blocked in a deep inside the Bueno Fonteno cave near the Italian city of Bergamo.
A major rescue operation is under way north-east of the Italian city of Bergamo to free a woman considered an expert spelunker who was trapped while exploring a cave with eight others.
Ottavia Piana is blocked in a deep inside the Bueno Fonteno cave, where the temperatures were ranging from 7-8C in high humidity.
Ms Piana was injured after falling some five meters (16 feet) on Saturday evening during an expedition to map a kilometre (half a mile) of an uncharted branch of the cave, but rescuers said she is alert and responsive.
Rescuers reached her late on Sunday and have used small explosives in an attempt to breach the last 100 metres (yards) to get to her.
A spokesman for the rescue operation, Mauro Guiducci, said it was impossible to foresee how long it would take to free Ms Piana.
“One thing is certain, these kinds of operations are very long,” Mr Guiducci said, adding that a team of 20 technicians were operating inside the cave and dozens more were assisting above ground.
