A massive rescue operation is currently underway in Turkey as an American speleologist remains trapped deep inside a cave, over 3,200 feet beneath the surface.

Mark Dickey, aged 40, fell ill and began experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding while on an expedition in Morca cave, located in the southern Taurus Mountains of Turkey.

This information was reported by the European Cave Rescue Association. Dickey’s last known location was approximately 3,400 feet into the cave. It’s worth noting that Morca cave is the third deepest cave in Turkey.

Since Thursday, Dickey has been unable to exit the cave independently, as reported by the New Jersey Initial Response Team, a local volunteer group specializing in cave and mine rescue, Fox News reported.

Over 150 cave rescue experts, including teams from Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Poland, are leading the efforts to rescue him.

Dickey, who serves as the secretary of the association’s medical committee, is described on their website as “a highly trained caver and a cave rescuer himself” with a history of participating in numerous international expeditions.

Additionally, he is an instructor at the National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC), as mentioned on his social media profiles.

Written by staff