TWO Chinese researchers were rescued from underwater karst caves in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 69 hours after being reported missing. Chinese media hailed the operation as the country’s first successful cave diving rescue, calling it a miraculous feat.

The odyssey began Feb. 5 when a five-member cave aquatic life research team entered the karst caves along the Huowang River in Baise City. During a diving exploration into the underwater caves, two team members went missing on their return trip at around 7 p.m. Local emergency departments swiftly dispatched rescue teams to the scene.

Facing a vast underwater cave with widths exceeding 15 meters, rescuers used five 200-meter guide rope reels to navigate the complex passages and chambers. After six hours of intensive searching, they located the first missing researcher in an air-filled chamber approximately 300 meters from the cave entrance and 16 meters underwater. An additional 90 minutes were needed to safely bring the individual out of the cave.

However, the second researcher remained unaccounted for, and the situation grew increasingly dire. The underwater cave system was a winding labyrinth, with cliffs, faults, and stalactites creating a treacherous environment. Rescuers relied solely on their headlights, and visibility in the deep waters was limited to just three meters.

By the third day, the rescue team expanded their search area and conducted multiple dives, exploring more than 10 underwater cavities. Finally, after 69 hours, the second missing person was found in an air-filled chamber about 28 meters underwater and 500 meters from the cave entrance. By then, he had gone without food for three days and was extremely weak. He was immediately transported to Tianyang District People’s Hospital for observation and treatment, where he gradually recovered.

The rescue team emphasized the dangers of cave exploration, and urged adventurers to prepare adequate food and communication equipment. They also advise bringing along experienced team members with strong outdoor survival skills.(SD-Agencies)