A significant rescue operation commenced on Monday in a cave located northeast of Bergamo, Italy, to assist a woman who was injured during a fall and subsequently became trapped while exploring with a group of eight.

The woman, identified as 32-year-old Ottavia Piana, was situated deep within the Bueno Fonteno cave, where temperatures hovered between 7 and 8 degrees Celsius (approximately 44-46 degrees Fahrenheit) amidst high humidity levels.

Piana, who is recognized as an experienced caver, sustained injuries after a fall of roughly 5 meters (16 feet) during an expedition aimed at mapping a newly discovered branch of the cave that extends for about a kilometer (half a mile). Despite her injuries, which include multiple traumas to her face, ribs, and knee, rescuers reported that she remained alert and responsive.

Her team reported her missing once they successfully reached the surface on Saturday evening. Rescuers were able to locate her by late Sunday. In an effort to reach her location, they are employing small explosives to break through the last challenging 100 meters (around 109 yards) of the cave.

Mauro Guiducci, a spokesman for the rescue team, indicated that it is difficult to predict the duration of the rescue efforts. “One thing is certain, these kinds of operations are very long,” he explained, noting that a specialized team of 20 technicians was working within the cave while dozens more provided support above ground.