Persistent Explorer Rescued from Italian Cave for the Second Time

In a dramatic rescue operation lasting 75 hours, experienced caver Ottavia Piana was airlifted to safety after sustaining multiple injuries from a fall in the uncharted depths of an Italian cave, marking her second rescue in just over a year.

Explorer Ottavia Piana has once again been rescued from the treacherous depths of the Abisso Bueno Fonteno cave system in northern Italy, an operation that involved more than 150 volunteers and lasted an exhausting 75 hours. The 32-year-old caver was undertaking a project to document previously uncharted areas when she fell 5-6 meters (16-19 feet) after a rock collapsed underneath her during her exploration.

Injuries from the incident included damage to her vertebrae, ribs, face, and knee. Rescue efforts, spearheaded by Italy's Alpine and cave rescue corps, began shortly after the fall occurred on Saturday afternoon. Her stretcher was finally brought to the surface around 03:00 (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

"The situation was critical as time was of the essence to prevent further injury and hypothermia," said Giorgio Pannuzzo, a member of the rescue team who was with her immediately after the accident. The cold conditions near the cave’s entrance added pressure to the team, who had to act swiftly to stabilize her and transport her out.

Navigating the challenging cave system, rescuers faced narrow passages and various obstacles, occasionally using explosives to clear the way. The operation included the monitoring of Piana’s health by a dedicated team of six doctors and eight nurses.

The CNSAS Alpine rescue service stated that a total of 159 volunteers from 13 regions in Italy participated in the effort. Despite her traumatic experience, Piana expressed her reluctance to return to the cave, saying, "I never want to set foot in there again."