Ottavia Piana's harrowing experience highlights the dangers of exploring uncharted cave systems and the challenges faced by rescue teams.
Explorer Rescued Again from Italian Cave in Lengthy Operation
Explorer Rescued Again from Italian Cave in Lengthy Operation
An experienced caver sustains serious injuries during her second rescue from the same cave system in northern Italy.
In a remarkable rescue operation, 32-year-old caver Ottavia Piana was freed after suffering significant injuries in the Abisso Bueno Fonteno cave in Bergamo, northern Italy. On Saturday afternoon, Piana was exploring an uncharted section of the cave when she fell approximately 5-6 meters (16-19 feet) due to a rock collapse, injuring her vertebrae, ribs, face, and knee.
Over 150 volunteers, coordinated by Italy's Alpine and cave rescue corps, took part in the 75-hour operation to save her. Piana was assisted throughout the ordeal by a medical team that included six doctors and eight nurses. As they battled against time, rescue volunteers had to carry her stretcher through narrow tunnels and at times use small explosives to clear obstacles.
Giorgio Pannuzzo, a rescue volunteer present during the incident, noted the urgency of the operation, citing freezing temperatures at the entrance of the cave. "If we'd stopped, she would have suffered even more from the cold," he explained, emphasizing the speed required to extract Piana safely.
The cave system where Piana was injured is located between Lake Iseo and Lake Endine, featuring a complex network of unexplored caves and tunnels. Piana, an experienced speleologist and active member of a project aimed at mapping undiscovered sections of the cave, expressed her resolve after the ordeal, stating she has no intention of returning.
This is the second time Piana has needed rescue from the Abisso Bueno Fonteno cave, which raises questions about safety measures and the inherent risks of subterranean exploration. The successful rescue operation has been lauded for both its thoroughness and the dedication of the volunteers, with the CNSAS Alpine rescue service highlighting community spirit as 159 volunteers from 13 regions responded to the call for help.
Over 150 volunteers, coordinated by Italy's Alpine and cave rescue corps, took part in the 75-hour operation to save her. Piana was assisted throughout the ordeal by a medical team that included six doctors and eight nurses. As they battled against time, rescue volunteers had to carry her stretcher through narrow tunnels and at times use small explosives to clear obstacles.
Giorgio Pannuzzo, a rescue volunteer present during the incident, noted the urgency of the operation, citing freezing temperatures at the entrance of the cave. "If we'd stopped, she would have suffered even more from the cold," he explained, emphasizing the speed required to extract Piana safely.
The cave system where Piana was injured is located between Lake Iseo and Lake Endine, featuring a complex network of unexplored caves and tunnels. Piana, an experienced speleologist and active member of a project aimed at mapping undiscovered sections of the cave, expressed her resolve after the ordeal, stating she has no intention of returning.
This is the second time Piana has needed rescue from the Abisso Bueno Fonteno cave, which raises questions about safety measures and the inherent risks of subterranean exploration. The successful rescue operation has been lauded for both its thoroughness and the dedication of the volunteers, with the CNSAS Alpine rescue service highlighting community spirit as 159 volunteers from 13 regions responded to the call for help.
