Injured Caver Who Was Trapped Underground for Over 3 Days Is Freed: 'She's Exhausted'

Mar. 15, 2025

Ottavia Piana.Photo:Tiziano Manzoni/LaPresse/Shutterstock

Tiziano Manzoni/LaPresse/Shutterstock

A caver who was trapped underground for over three days has been freed.

According to U.K. newspaperThe Times, Ottavia Piana was rescued from a cave in Northern Italy at 3 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Dec. 18, after being trapped since Saturday, Dec. 14.

The outlet reports that the 32-year-old had been exploring the Bueno Fonteno cave tracts near Bergamo when she fell five meters after a rock shelf underneath her collapsed.

The fall resulted in her sustaining fractures to her ribs, knee and face.

According to theBBC, Italy’s Alpine and Cave Rescue Corps led the rescue operation, including 150 volunteers.

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Ottavia Piana being rescued.Tiziano Manzoni/LaPresse/Shutterstock

PerThe Times, rescuers previously said on Tuesday that Piana wouldn’t be able to reach the surface until Wednesday evening.

However, after concerns over her injuries grew, the rescue process was quickened and the caver was moved through 4km of narrow tunnels.

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The rescue mission for Ottavia Piana.Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico

Corpo Nazionale Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico

“The last section was covered faster than expected thanks to the preventive removal of obstacles in various parts of the cave and because doctors decided to avoid long pauses,” Italy alpine rescue service toldThe Times.

Piana was then taken to the hospital via helicopter.

Piana also had to be rescued from the same tunnels back in June 2023 after a rock fell and broke her leg, perThe Times. The caver was rescued during a two-day operation.

source: people.com