A British cave diver has died after becoming trapped deep inside an underwater cave system in southwestern France.
The 43-year-old man was discovered Sunday, September 20, two days after he went missing during a dive at the Gouffre de Saint-Sauveur near Calès.
According to local reports, the man was part of a group of eight British cave divers who had entered the site, which is known for attracting experienced divers from around the world.
Rescuers eventually located his body at a depth of approximately 88 meters, or nearly 290 feet, underwater.
The diver is believed to have become caught in a guide line while navigating a particularly narrow section of the cave. He became trapped and was unable to make his way back to the surface.
Emergency crews were first alerted at around 8 p.m. after the man failed to return.
43-year-old man trapped in Gouffre de Saint-Sauveur
French authorities responded by activating the underground-rescue provisions of the ORSEC emergency system, formally known as the Organisation de la Réponse de Sécurité Civile. Firefighters and specialist cave rescuers were brought in as part of the search.
At one point, there was still hope that the missing diver may have managed to reach an air-filled chamber somewhere inside the cave system.
Rescuers also believed he had entered the caves carrying enough breathing gas for around eight hours, along with a backup tank.
Despite the rescue operation, the man’s body was not located until Sunday.
Cahors public prosecutor Clara Ribeiro confirmed the discovery, saying the body was found at a depth of around 88 meters.
However, retrieving him from the cave has proven far more difficult.
Ribeiro said rescuers were unable to immediately recover the body because of the “extremely difficult” conditions inside the cave, according to LADbible. A recovery operation is expected to take place.
French authorities have also opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
The Gouffre de Saint-Sauveur is a regularly visited destination for experienced cave divers, with divers traveling from around the world to explore the underwater system.