Sandi Ćurk, the commander of the Regional Civil Protection Headquarters for Notranjska, stated that due to the conditions in which they find themselves, the evacuation from the Slovenian cave where five people are trapped will not be carried out at least until tomorrow morning. Despite a slight decrease in the water level during the day, the rain has caused a rise again, so the evacuation will be postponed until a safe and healthy way is secured. Ćurk emphasized that additional supplies of food, warm clothing, and energy for lighting and heating have been delivered to those trapped in the cave.

The water level remains unchanged, with a minimal decrease, according to Ćurk. Referring to the extreme conditions for rescue and diving, he pointed out that the water temperature is 6 degrees Celsius, visibility is between three and five centimeters, and the underground water has a strong flow.

If the water level does not decrease, the possibility of improving communication with those trapped in the outside world is being considered. In the meantime, divers have continued to deliver supplies of food, medicine, warm clothing, and energy to those trapped, as Telegraf.rs reports.

The incident involves a group of visitors who set off for a tourist visit to Križna Jama on Saturday at 8 a.m. Due to the inaccessibility of some parts of the cave due to flooding, the group returned to a dry area. As they did not return by the scheduled 3 p.m., a rescue operation was launched involving divers and other relevant services.

During the operation, the first divers swam through the flooded areas and approached the cave against the flow, but returned after consuming the equipment to secure the path. The second team of divers, who entered the cave in the early morning hours, equipped technically demanding parts for passage and transferred the necessary equipment to those trapped. Due to the strong water flow towards the cave exit, they faced significant challenges.

The trapped are located in a place that remains dry and is above the water level, and their lives are not currently endangered, the Civil Protection announced. The rescue operation involves exceptional efforts by divers and other rescuers in extreme conditions. Križna Jama, with a length of 8,273 meters, is an extremely popular cave that attracts visitors because of its biological diversity and beauty.

Original article: https://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2022&mm=03&dd=06&nav_category=167&nav_id=2188784