In Pics: Extensive rescue operation in Turkish cave to save American researcher
The European Association of Cave Rescuers referred to Mark Dickey as "a highly trained caver and a cave rescuer himself" in addition to being a well-known speleologist, or cave researcher.
To save an American researcher, Mark Dickey who became gravely ill nine days ago at a depth of about 1,000 metres (3,000 feet) from the mouth of one of the deepest caverns in the world, a significant rescue mission is currently underway in Turkey's Taurus Mountains. (Image: AP)
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Doctors determined that Dickey was healthy enough to be relocated after his initial treatment deep underground and gave the all-clear on Saturday for the operation to start bringing him to the surface. (Image: AP)
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The third-deepest cave in Turkey is the Morca Cave in the southern Taurus Mountains. The rescue workers have to navigate steep vertical areas and through mud and water in cold temperatures in horizontal sections, which is one of their major problems. (Image: AP)
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As Dickey is being gradually rescued from the cave, temporary medical camps have been established up along the tube to offer assistance and somewhere to rest. (Image: AP)
Around 190 people from Turkey and eight other nations—Italy, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Poland, Albania—as well as the United States—are helping with the rescue operation. More than 150 of them are search and rescue specialists. (Image: AP)
