Ottavia Pianaa 32-year-old Italian caver, was rescued after being trapped for more than 75 hours in the cave system Good Fontenonearly Bergamonorth of Italia. Piana lived an odyssey that included serious fractures and a monumental rescue operation. This was not the first time he faced similar dangers: months ago, in June 2023, Another accident in the same underground network led her to need professional help to get out safely.
What led this expert to find herself in critical situations underground twice? The answer lies in both the inherent risks of caving and the importance of your work. mapping one of the most complex and unknown cave systems in Italy.
The accident occurred on Saturday December 14when a rock collapsed under Piana’s feet, causing him to fall five to six meters. The consequences were devastating: fractures to the face, ribs and a knee. Despite his experience, Piana was immobilized in a difficult to access place 150 meters below the surface, trapped in a labyrinth of narrow and rocky tunnels.
A team made up of more than 150 volunteers from the Alps and the Italian cave rescue corps took on the mission of bringing it to the surface. Among the tactics used were the installation of small explosive charges to clear obstacles and allow the rescue team to pass with Piana’s stretcher. According to reports from the British media The Times, up to 10 controlled explosions were necessary to speed up the process.
The operation, which was initially scheduled to end the night of this Wednesday the 18th, intensified due to Piana’s deteriorating state of health. Finally, the team managed to extract it at 3:00 in the morning, after traveling 4 kilometers of tunnels.
The rescue involved physical strength of the volunteers and also a impeccable medical coordination. During the 75 hours that the operation lasted, Piana was continuously assisted by six doctors and eight nurses, who administered vital care and made quick decisions to avoid long breaks that would have aggravated their situation.
This was not Piana’s first incident in the Bueno Fonteno cave network. In June 2023, a rockfall broke his leg while he was exploring 150 meters deep. On that occasion, the rescue was also complicated and lasted two days.
These accidents generated divided opinions. While some criticize the repetition of these events as reckless and a expenditure of public resourcesdefenders such as Giorgio Pannuzzo, Piana’s exploration partner, highlight his preparation and prudenceclassifying accidents as coincidences unfortunate. Pannuzzo also highlighted the scientific contribution that Piana and his team make to cave mapping, describing their work as “fundamental” to caving.
The Bueno Fonteno cavelocated in the Lombardy region, is an underground system that fascinates the scientific community and cavers alike. Discovered in 2006, the cave is part of a network of tunnels and galleries that extends over 19 kilometersalthough much of this extension still remains unexplored.
The underground system is located between lakes Iseo and Endine, an area known for its unique geological formation. The cave houses narrow, rocky passages and unstable areas that pose a risk to explorers. The still virgin nature of the place and the lack of detailed maps turn each expedition into a company full of unknowns.
The mapping of the Bueno Fonteno cave is considered a project of great scientific relevance. According to Sergio Orsinipresident of the Italian Speleological Societythe work carried out in these galleries is fundamental to understanding the geology of the region and could offer key data on the formation of Alpine mountains and underground water processes.
