Salzburg: Researchers locked in Lamprechts Cave – melt water blocks their way out
Since Thursday (February 17), three researchers from Poland have been stuck in the Lamprechtshöhle. The Salzburg Cave Rescue is in action, but the meltwater blocks the exit. The situation remains tricky.
Lofer – The Lamprechtsofen in Weißbach near Lofer (Salzburg Land) gilded as one of the deepest caves in the world. The show cave has repeatedly been near the Bavarian border Scene of dramatic rescue operations. Sitting there since Thursday (February 17). three researchers from Poland fixed. She has meltwater in a siphon way back blocked.
Nice since centuries the cave is explored by Polish speleologists. Especially that one Speleologist Andrzej Ciszewski from Kraków Look at the system and measure it. The corridors are 62 kilometers long, only 700 meters of which are open to visitors – but not at the moment.
The Poles are always visiting the Lamprechtshöhle. Among the three researchers who had now climbed into the areas closed to the public is also Ciszewski’s son Mihal. “The three men had not planned an expected stay in the cave“, reported Monika Feichtner, head of the Salzburg Cave Rescue Service. They wanted at one for 20 hour scheduled tour collecting rock samples. It was not previously apparent that the caves could become a trap for researchers. “The thaw came as a surprise to this extent‘ says Fichtner. to die The problem area is only 400 meters from the entrance. “There is a siphon there that filled up with melt water from the Leoganger Steinberge,” says Feichntner. A metal door is built into the siphon, she explains. “Like an oven, about a meter by a meter.” This metal door is now under water.
the Contact with researchers has been lost. “The three men should be fine though‘ says Feichner. “They have equipment and food with them, you always have to expect emergencies down there.” There are several bivouac spots in the cave. “The three know each other there very well.” Yesterday, an emergency staff was set up on site, four cave divers were supposed to do the preliminary work for the trapped people. “Your task is to bring food and equipment to the researchers and establish communication.” This is to be done via a communication system called Cavelink – an antenna system that can be used to send short messages through several hundred meters of rock.
It could be days before the water sinks so low that the path is clear. The researchers cannot dive out. “The iron door in the siphon is just too narrow for non-diving professionals.”