Tourists rescued from flooded cave

A family of three and two tour guides had stayed on a ledge in a flooded cave in Slovenia for more than two days. Now they could be freed.

Križna Jama – Five people are more than two days been trapped in the famous Slovenian cross cave Križna Jama. Now they could be rescued from the flooded cave, as the disaster control operations manager reported. The family of three and the two tour guides were surprised by the floodwhich is why they were no longer able to return.

Surprised by flooding: Tourists and companions are rescued from a flooded cave

On Saturday morning, January 6th, the three tourists set off on a boat tour through the underground lake landscape with two cave guides. When they didn't return, divers were sent to search for them. After a three-hour search, they finally discovered the small group about two kilometers from the entrance to the cave on a plateau, where they escaped.

To put it into perspective: The Cross Cave is eight kilometers long in total. Rescue workers reported that all five were in good condition. Professional divers from civil protection have also visited the trapped people twice since Saturday provided them with food, medicine, warm clothing and flashlights.

Floodwaters in cave recede: rescue operation succeeds in second attempt

Heavy rain caused the water level to rise so rapidlythat the cave exit was no longer accessible by boat. After the water level fell on Monday, January 8th, disaster relief officials planned the rescue on the same day. All five trapped people have now been freed from the cave by boat. On Sunday (January 7th), however, it was still unclear when the rescue could be carried out because the water level was still too high at that time. The emergency services did not want to risk a rescue operation using diving equipment.

The Križna Jama Cross Cave attracts many tourists with its 45 emerald-green underground lakes. A visit is only possible with prior registration accompanied by guides. (cln/dpa)