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.