Isère: Speleologist Rescued After Being Trapped Over 12 Hours in Cave

A 25-year-old speleologist trapped under falling rocks in a cave in Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse (Isère) was rescued on Monday morning, June 9, after more than twelve hours of rescue efforts. The man, injured in the arm by a rockfall on Sunday, was extracted around 7:45 a.m. using a half-stretcher and then airlifted to Grenoble University Hospital. His condition is reported as reassuring.

Exploration Turns Into Accident

The accident occurred in the Guiers Mort underground network, located beneath the Dent de Crolles, during an exploration involving two other people. Trapped about 90 minutes from the cave entrance, he was partially buried by the rockfall. His two companions managed to exit safely Sunday around 10 p.m. The alert was raised by a fourth person waiting near the cave entrance.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation

The complex and delicate operation mobilized nearly 80 responders: 50 firefighters from Isère, including 10 specialists in hazardous environments, along with teams from the PGHM (High Mountain Gendarmerie), CRS Alpes, the gendarmerie, and the Spéléo Secours Isère association. Two doctors were also on site. The Orsec plan was activated on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. to coordinate the rescue.

According to Laurent Simplicien, Secretary General of the Prefecture, “the young man was conscious, tired, but showed no vital distress.” The narrow cave passages and distance made the operation lengthy and careful, requiring a cautious approach until the injured man could be safely extracted.