Overview

• The rescue mission concluded early Wednesday morning, with Piana reaching the surface at 2:59 a.m. and immediately being airlifted to a hospital.
• Piana sustained serious injuries, including spinal, rib, and facial trauma, after falling several meters while exploring the cave on Saturday.
• Over 150 specialized rescuers and medics worked tirelessly to navigate the 50-kilometer cave system, a challenging labyrinth of narrow passages, waterfalls, and underground lakes.
• Rescuers employed a combination of techniques, including carrying Piana on a stretcher through tight spaces, often passing it hand-to-hand in seated or crawling positions.
• This was Piana's second accident in the same cave; she has since announced her decision to retire from caving and exploration activities.