Shortly before midday this morning, the Gard fire brigade was called out to an underground rescue operation at a place known as ‘Grottes des Espèches’, in the municipality of Sauve.
A cave diver, whilst carrying out his dive, reported that his diving partner had encountered a problem and had not resurfaced. He alerted the emergency services and dived back down to rescue his colleague.
Two experienced divers
This caver is located about a hundred metres from the cave’s exit. He is conscious and has taken refuge in an air pocket.
They are two cave divers who are professional firefighters and were diving in their spare time, as a leisure activity. They are therefore experienced.
The Orsec plan has been activated
Firefighters from the Gard have been hard at work for over an hour. A command post, specialist divers, the GRIMP unit and logistical support are on site, totalling around forty personnel.
The Prefect of the Gard has activated the specific ‘ORSEC’ contingency plan designed for this type of rescue operation. (Rescue operations at specific sites).
This system also enables the French cave rescue service to be deployed to the scene.
Divers from the Gard Fire and Rescue Service are at the scene and are putting in place the appropriate operational strategy to bring our colleague to the surface.