A 31-year-old man was rescued alive on Monday evening after being trapped for 26 hours in the Gorroppeddu cave, located in the mountainous Urzulei area of central-eastern Sardinia, Italy. Luca Olmetto had become trapped about 10 meters below the surface when a rockslide blocked the cave’s entrance on Sunday afternoon.
Olmetto was exploring the cave with his girlfriend, who narrowly escaped injury as she was just a few meters behind when the collapse occurred. She successfully raised the alarm immediately after the entrance was sealed by debris.
Rescue Effort and Conditions
Rescuers, including around 48 members of Sardinia’s Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps, 30 firefighters, and civil protection staff, worked continuously to reach Olmetto. They cleared rubble manually to access a narrow passage to the trapped man, who remained conscious and responsive throughout the operation.
The rescue involved the delicate removal of large amounts of debris to free Olmetto from the cavity. After being brought to the surface just after 6 p.m. CET, medical personnel stabilized him before he was airlifted to a hospital for further care. A helicopter was also used to transport materials and secure the site during the operation.
Community Reaction and Cave Details
The council of Codrongianos, Olmetto’s hometown in northwestern Sardinia, expressed deep concern and solidarity during the ordeal. In a message on social media, they thanked rescuers and sent support to Olmetto and his family, acknowledging the anxiety experienced by the entire community throughout the rescue effort.
The Gorroppeddu cave remains largely unexplored, adding complexity to the rescue. This incident echoes a similar case from December 2024, when another explorer was trapped underground in northern Italy’s Bueno Fonteno caves for 75 hours before being freed, highlighting the risks associated with cave exploration.
