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Italian Caver Rescued After 75-Hour Operation in Complex Cave System

Ottavia Piana, a 32-year-old researcher, was successfully extracted from the Abisso Bueno Fonteno cave after suffering severe injuries during an expedition.

  • The rescue mission concluded early Wednesday morning, with Piana reaching the surface at 2:59 a.m. and immediately being airlifted to a hospital.
  • Piana sustained serious injuries, including spinal, rib, and facial trauma, after falling several meters while exploring the cave on Saturday.
  • Over 150 specialized rescuers and medics worked tirelessly to navigate the 50-kilometer cave system, a challenging labyrinth of narrow passages, waterfalls, and underground lakes.
  • Rescuers employed a combination of techniques, including carrying Piana on a stretcher through tight spaces, often passing it hand-to-hand in seated or crawling positions.
  • This was Piana's second accident in the same cave; she has since announced her decision to retire from caving and exploration activities.
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