American explorer rescued after 9 days trapped in cave

American explorer rescued after 9 days trapped in cave

The Cave Research Association of Türkiye said in a statement that Mark Dickey, a U.S. citizen who fell ill and became trapped in a cave a thousand metres deep, was rescued after nine days.

The association stated in a post on its X account, "The cave rescue operation has been completed successfully. We congratulate everyone who contributed."

Footage from the scene showed that Dickey was conscious when he was rescued.

Dickey described his experience as a "crazy adventure" and thanked the Turkish government and everyone who participated in the rescue efforts.

AFAD officials also noted at the press conference that Dickey was in good health.

The European Cave Rescue Association also thanked rescuers from seven countries who participated in the rescue efforts.

Dickey, 40, was in the Taurus Mountains on September 2 with friends to map the Morca Sinkhole when he suddenly suffered from stomach bleeding and became trapped inside the cave.

Nearly 200 people from many countries participated in the rescue efforts. The rescue operations' organisers noted that this was a very large and complicated underground rescue operation.

Dickey was seen receiving medical care in the cave on videos captured during the operation. Dickey's family thanked the Turkish government and all those involved in the rescue efforts after learning of their son's rescue.