Three researchers from Poland are currently stuck in the Lamprechts Cave in Austria. Their way back was blocked by melt water. Rescue workers are on duty.
Update from February 18, 1:57 p.m .: The state of Salzburg has requested four cave divers to rescue three researchers trapped in the Lamprechts Cave. They should get to the trapped people and find out how they are doing and take care of them if necessary.
It can be assumed that there is no dramatic situation, said head of operations Gernot Salzmann on the oe24 station. According to the authorities, the three speleologists have been among the best connoisseurs of the Lamprechts Cave for decades. They wanted to collect rock samples on a tour planned for 20 hours.
It is expected that with the falling temperatures in the next few days the water level will drop again and the way back will be free. However, an exact prognosis is difficult. “In any case, you can’t dive out, because you have to be an absolute specialist for that and that’s not necessary from the current perspective,” said Wolfgang Gadermayr, cave rescuer and geologist.
Austria: Three researchers trapped in a cave – meltwater makes the way back “impossible”
First report from February 18th
St. Martin bei Lofer – Since Thursday evening (February 17), a rescue operation has been underway in St. Martin bei Lofer, Austria. Three researchers from Poland are trapped in the Lamprechtshöhle in the Pinzgau district, not far from the German border, and cannot go outside. According to ORF , there is currently no contact with the three members of the registered expedition. A briefing is planned for Friday morning.
The research trio from Poland was trapped in the cave in Austria* by meltwater. A cave lake filled to the ceiling blocks their way back. “The very warm temperatures on Thursday meant that a lot of meltwater penetrated the Lamprechts Cave and made it impossible to safely return from the so-called researcher’s part – this is located next to the show cave,” explained Gernot Salzmann, head of operations at the Salzburg Cave Rescue Service.
Austria: Rescuers are monitoring the situation – hope that the water will recede
According to Monika Feichtner, however, the three trapped are professionals. “But we are optimistic because they are well equipped, can deal with the situation as full professionals and there are rescue niches with blankets and emergency equipment in the cave,” says the head of the Salzburg Cave Rescue Service.
Disaster control officer Manfred Pongruber said according to ORF that the situation is being monitored and the water level is being monitored closely. The rescue workers could only hope for a decrease in the water at the moment. That could possibly be the case as early as Friday afternoon.
Lamprechtshöhle: Similar incidents in the past
“The emergency services and our civil protection officer Manfred Pongruber have my full trust. They will do everything to bring the researchers back to the surface in good health,” said the Pinzgau district captain and head of operations Bernhard Gratz in a press release.
Similar incidents have occurred in the Lamprechtshöhle in the past. In August 2016, after heavy rain, seven people were trapped in the cave*. In August 2013, 26 people were stuck underground for several hours. At that time, heavy rain had also flooded the low-lying entrance. An early warning system was therefore installed in the cave. It sounds an alarm as soon as the water level in the cave becomes dangerously high. As a rule, visitors then still have enough time to get to the exit. (ph) *Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
List of rubrics: © Michael Kröll/dpa
