Injured Speleologist Trapped in Bueno Fonteno Cave: Rescue Underway for Ottavia Piana.

A new drama is unfolding in the depths of the cave Abyss Good Fonteno, located between Lake Iseo and Lake Endine, in the Bergamo area. Ottavia Piana, a thirty-two-year-old speleologist originally from Adro (Brescia), remained stuck in a particularly difficult section of the natural cavity, after a fall of about five meters that caused her multiple fractures. This is the second accident for the young woman in the same place: in July 2023 she remained trapped in practically the same place, requiring almost 48 hours to be brought back to the surface.

The accident and first aid

The alarm was raised on Saturday evening, at 22:30 pm, when Piana's colleagues requested the intervention of the Alpine Rescue. The speleologist was busy with the CAI Group of Lovere within the Sebino Project, an initiative aimed at mapping and exploring new sections of the cave. During the exploration, the accident occurred that left Piana injured and unable to move, about three kilometers from the entrance to the cavity.

Rescuers reached Ottavia around 10 a.m. Sunday morning, after a four-hour trek through narrow tunnels and unexplored stretches. A doctor and a nurse performed initial checks, noting significant trauma to her lower limbs, chest, and face. Despite her injuries, the speleologist remained conscious and reassured rescuers, asking them to let her family know she was fine.

A complex and impervious cave

The Bueno Fonteno Abyss, with a constant temperature of around 8°C and high humidity, represents a challenge not only for those who explore it, but also for rescuers. The system of caves and tunnels extends for kilometers, with sections still without a complete geomorphological map. It is precisely in this context that Ottavia and her colleagues were working when the accident occurred.

The complexity of the recovery operation is accentuated by the need to overcome extremely narrow passages, such as a stretch of about 100 meters that is slowing down the transport of the stretcher. To facilitate the route, the Prefecture of Bergamo has authorized the use of micro explosive charges, with the aim of widening the narrowest points and facilitating the passage of the rescue team.

An extraordinary mobilization

Over 100 rescuers are on site, including teams from the Alpine Rescue, firefighters and carabinieri. Special lighting has been installed at the entrance to the cave, while a three-kilometer long telephone line allows communication between the inside and the outside. The coordination of the operations is entrusted to Corrado Camerini, regional manager of the Alpine Rescue, and Mario Guiducci, national vice president of the organization, who reached Fonteno during the night.

In the meantime, teams are constantly rotating: at 17 pm a new unit of rescuers entered the cave with equipment needed to deal with the cold of the night, including down jackets and thermal blankets. The underground climatic conditions, while not extreme, require attention, especially for an injured person in conditions of prolonged immobility.

Hope for a quicker recovery

Despite the gravity of the situation, the experience gained in 2023 gives rescuers an advantage. Back then, it took nearly 48 hours to bring Ottavia Piana to the surface. This time, the hope is to complete the recovery by Monday, thanks in part to the widespread mobilization and improvements in rescue techniques.

The young speleologist is known for her commitment to exploring and mapping still unknown caves, an activity that involves risks but that significantly contributes to the knowledge of the territory. The Bueno Fonteno Abyss, in particular, is a place of great scientific interest, but its exploration requires preparation, experience and the use of advanced equipment.

A drama that draws attention to the risks of speleology

This accident highlights the intrinsic dangers of speleology, a discipline that combines a passion for adventure, scientific research, and extreme physical challenges. The Italian speleological community, although accustomed to operating in difficult contexts, rallies around Ottavia and her family, trusting in the professionalism of the rescue teams to bring her out safe and sound.