Rescuers battle to save cave explorer trapped underground in Italy

In northern Italy, an expert cave explorer named Ottavia Piana fell 5 meters while trying to map an unexplored branch of the Bueno Fonteno cave. The incident occurred on Saturday, December 14, 2024, and led to a significant rescue operation launched the same evening. Initial reports indicated that Piana was in a difficult situation, suffering from multiple fractures sustained during the fall. As news of her plight spread, nearly 160 rescue technicians from 13 regions in Italy mobilized around the clock to assist in the elaborate operation, which was coordinated by alpine rescuers. Rescue teams encountered significant challenges due to the cave's depth and the narrow, uncharted passageways. The Bueno Fonteno cave is situated approximately 500 meters underground, with mapped passages stretching around 19 kilometers (about 12 miles). Rescuers reported that temperatures within the cave ranged from 7 to 8 degrees Celsius (44-46 degrees Fahrenheit) and that conditions were humid. Piana's situation was precarious; however, she remained alert and responsive from the time rescuers first made contact. Efforts to reach her involved regularly assessing her condition, with medical professionals available during the operation. Each time the team advanced, they stopped every 90 minutes to ensure her health was stable, which proved crucial for her survival during the lengthy ordeal. The team utilized small explosives as they worked to breach the final 100 meters, demonstrating both determination and resourcefulness in their approach to rescuing her. As rescuers finally reached the entrance of the cave in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 18, 2024, their efforts concluded successfully. Piana was transported out of the cave utilizing a stretcher, with workers carefully maneuvering her through the narrow passages. The operation that could have taken significantly longer was completed 12 hours ahead of schedule, thanks to the effective teamwork and preparation of the rescue teams. Remarkably, this was not Piana's first rescue from the same cave; she had been rescued just 17 months prior under similar circumstances.