Rescue efforts of U.S. caver underway in Türkiye’s 3rd deepest cave

Turkish and international cave rescue experts are working to save American researcher Marck Dickey who fell ill during his research expedition in Türkiye’s third deepest cave at a depth of 1,276 meters in Mersin’s Anamur district.

Mark Dickey, 40, became sick and had gastrointestinal bleeding, and since then has been unable to leave the cave on his own, the European Cave Rescue Association reported.

It described Dickey as “a highly trained caver and a cave rescuer himself” who is well known for his participation in many international expeditions. He is secretary of the association’s medical committee.

Dickey was on an expedition, mapping the 1,276-meter (4,186-feet) deep Morca cave system for the Anatolian Speleology Group Association (ASPEG) before falling ill at around 1,000 meters deep, according to Yusuf Oğrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Türkiye.

Turkish disaster relief agency AFAD and rescue team UMKE are working with Turkish and international cavers on a plan to retrieve Dickey out of the cave complex, the rescue association said.

Oğrenecek of the Speleological Federation of Türkiye told The Associated Press that Dickey’s condition has stabilized, and that he is in “good spirits.”

“Mark’s condition continues to improve,” the federation tweeted. “Doctors will decide whether it is possible for him to leave without a stretcher.”

The rescue efforts consist of more than 170 people, including doctors, paramedics along with experienced cavers are tending to Dickey, Oğrenecek said, adding that the rescue operation could take up to two to three weeks. But it could take shorter depending on the situation.

A team of rescuers from Italy’s National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Team will be flying to Türkiye on Thursday night. A total of around 50 rescuers will be at the entrance of the cave early on Friday ready to participate in the operation directed by Turkish authorities.

Marton Kovacs of the Hungarian Cave Rescue Service said that the cave is being prepared for his safe extraction. Narrow passages are being widened to accommodate a stretcher, and the danger of falling rocks is also being addressed.

The rescue teams, which are from Hungary, Bulgaria, Italy, Croatia and Poland, hope that the extraction can begin on Saturday or Sunday. Kovacs said that lifting Dickey will likely take several days, and that several bivouac points are being prepared along the way so that Dickey and rescue teams can rest.

The cave has been divided into several sections, with each country’s rescue team being responsible for one section.

The Hungarian Cave Rescue Service, made up of volunteer rescuers, was the first to arrive at Dickey’s location and provided emergency blood transfusions to stabilize his condition. An additional Hungarian team of 15-20 rescuers will eave Hungary on Thursday evening on a military plane, provided by the government, and arrive at the rescue site on Friday morning, Kovacs said.

Six mountain rescuers, including two medics, have left for Antalya to help in the rescue operation, Jerzy Siodlak, the head of Poland’s mountain rescue service, GOPR, said on Wednesday on Radio RMF24.

Thirteen other rescuers from southern Poland are also ready to join the rescue operation, GOPR authorities said. Siodlak noted the operation will be a challenging one given the condition of the American and the need to keep him medically fit for the rescue operation in difficult conditions.

He also stressed the need to provide the rescuers with light and communication possibilities at the depth the American is at.

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