5 trapped by waters in Slovenian cave
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Five people are trapped in a cave in southwestern Slovenia, unable to leave because of high water levels caused by heavy rainfall, authorities said Sunday.
Three adults and two guides have been stuck in the Krizna Jama cave since Saturday when water levels rose inside, blocking the way out.
Slovenian rescue teams said divers have reached the group, moved them to a safe spot and set up a heated shelter where they will have to wait for water levels to drop.
All five people are fine, said Igor Benko, the head of Slovenia’s Speleological Association.
The group entered the cave early Saturday for a tour of the 5-mile cave system and its chain of underground lakes. Visitors are allowed in only as part of guided tours.
The cave system can only be accessed by boat along the Bloscica River that runs through it, the official STA news agency said.
Benko told the agency that subterranean water levels are expected to start falling soon but that it might take a few days for the passage to be safe again.
About 35 cave rescuers and eight divers from all over Slovenia are involved in the rescue operation, assisted by 11 firefighters and members of the civil protection force, authorities said.