Evacuation efforts continue for American caver in Türkiye

MERSIN, Türkiye

Efforts continued Monday to rescue an American trapped in a cave in southern Türkiye after he fell ill last week.

Nearly 200 personnel from eight countries are taking part in the operation led by the Turkish state Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) to rescue experienced caver Mark Dickey, 40.

On Saturday in line with doctors’ decision that he should be evacuated from the Morca Cave in the province of Mersin, Dickey was brought up to a camp at a depth of 400 m (1,312 ft).

Dickey, who reportedly is in good health after treatment for what is believed to be stomach bleeding, is resting under medical supervision, and the evacuation will proceed as conditions allow.

To ensure the evacuation goes smoothly, various teams, including AFAD, the Turkish National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE), the European Cave Rescue Association, gendarmerie, and the Turkish Caving Federation, are on standby at a coordination tent in the Toros Mountains, near the mouth of the cave.

Eight days ago, Dickey, an intrepid explorer, found himself in distress in the Morca Sinkhole in the southern Mersin province thousands of feet below the cave entrance.

Dickey was part of a 14-person spelunking team who descended into Morca before he showed signs of gastrointestinal distress.

*Writing by Necva Tastan in Istanbul