US explorer rescued after being trapped 3,600 feet underground in Turkish cave for nine days
US explorer rescued: In a remarkable rescue operation, an international team of rescuers successfully extracted a US explorer who had spent nine days trapped deep within the narrow tunnels of a Turkish cave while suffering from internal bleeding.
Mark Dickey, a 40-year-old explorer, developed stomach problems during his exploration of Morca Cave, a complex of twisting underground passageways located in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. Morca Cave is the third-deepest cave in Turkey, reaching depths of nearly 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) below ground at its lowest point.
Dickey fell ill at a depth of 1,120 meters (3,695 feet), initiating what organizers described as one of the largest and most complex underground rescue operations ever undertaken.
_68674829b1ef872344f8e9fc481e3d38_1280X720.webp)
The Turkish Caving Federation confirmed Dickey's successful extraction from the cave, stating, "Mark Dickey was removed from the last exit of the cave, and the cave rescue part of the operation has ended successfully."
A team of 200 rescuers, comprising fellow explorers and medical personnel from various countries, carefully and methodically worked to bring Dickey to safety. They provided him with infusions of blood before securing him to a stretcher, which sometimes had to be lifted vertically by ropes through particularly narrow passageways within the cave.
The teams involved in the rescue periodically took breaks, ascending to the surface before returning underground to continue the operation. Dickey's health had been steadily improving over the past few days, and he was receiving liquid nutrition to support his recovery.
Cenk Yildiz, the head of the local branch of Turkey's emergency response service, reported that Dickey's stomach bleeding had been successfully treated with plasma and serum support, and he was in overall good health.
In a video message recorded during his ordeal, Dickey expressed gratitude to the Turkish government for its prompt assistance, stating, "The quick response of the Turkish government to get the medical supplies that I needed, in my opinion, saved my life."
The European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA) described Dickey as an experienced explorer with a medical background. A native of New York state, Dickey is well-known in the international speleological community, highly trained in cave exploration, and has experience in cave rescues. He serves as the secretary of the ECRA medical committee and instructs cave rescue organizations in the USA.
- With inputs from agencies
