Two cavers were luckily rescued after being trapped underground by a sudden water surge.
Dramatic footage shows responders descending through narrow gaps as water gushed from above.
The pair were inside the cave when a heavy storm hit around 7:30 pm on Friday (7 Nov), just half an hour after they had entered.
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The water surged quickly, forming a powerful waterfall that made it impossible for them to retrace their steps.
Their three companions, waiting outside, grew concerned when the cavers didn’t emerge.
After confirming the pair, aged 40 and 47, were trapped, they called emergency services at 1:14 am, as reported by Need To Know.
Three experts from the Civil Guard’s Mountain Rescue and Intervention Group were dispatched from Cangas de Onís to Demués, in northern Spain’s Picos de Europa.
The team quickly realised a new safety line was needed, as the one installed by the cavers was now submerged.
Navigating strong currents and avoiding the large waterfall, they reached the trapped duo, who were trying to keep warm with a thermal blanket.
Their gear was reportedly unsuitable for the sudden change in weather.
The cavers finally emerged at 4:25 am with slight hypothermia, but otherwise in good health.
The Civil Guard said, “These rescues are extremely technically challenging.
‘Caving passages are narrow and steep, and in this case, the water flow was so strong it made movement difficult and even hindered communication due to the roar of the falling water.”
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