Pećina Provalija (Abyss Cave), Nevesinje – 10 September 2026
The speleological rescue operation at Pećina Provalija (Abyss Cave), one of the largest cave systems in Bosnia and Herzegovina with more than 4,100 metres of explored passages, near Nevesinje, was successfully concluded at 16:00 (CEST) on 10 September.
The accident occurred on the evening of 9 September during an exploration camp organized by the Bologna Speleological Group, involving cavers from several Italian regions. A young Italian female caver fell approximately five metres while carrying out an exploratory climb, suffering a suspected displaced ankle fracture. The accident site was located about 90 minutes of underground progression from the cave entrance, along a predominantly sub-horizontal section.
Among the members of the expedition were six technicians of the Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps (CNSAS) from the Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Piedmont and Veneto regional delegations. They immediately reached the injured caver, secured the scene, administered pain relief and comfort supplies, and consulted by telephone with a Piedmont-based CNSAS physician specializing in medical rescue in hostile environments, who provided the initial medical guidance for the management of the injury.
After assessing the complexity of the scenario and the morphological difficulties of the evacuation, the technicians alerted the Head of the XII Emilia-Romagna Speleological Delegation and the National Head of Speleological Rescue. Through the European Cave Rescue Association (ECRA), CNSAS requested the activation of the Gorska Služba Spašavanja Bosne i Hercegovine, the Union of Mountain Rescue Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which assumed command of the rescue operation and deployed 15 specialized rescuers to the scene.
During the first 18 hours after the accident, the Italian CNSAS technicians taking part in the expedition completed the rigging of the most critical sections of the evacuation route, installing the rope traverses and tensioned systems required for stretcher transport through the most demanding passages, while working alongside the Bosnian rescue teams throughout the operation.
The evacuation began at 06:30 on 10 September. The injured caver remained conscious and cooperative throughout, and by 12:00, when the first Bosnian cave rescue team reached the casualty underground, approximately half of the route to the entrance had already been completed.
A subsequent assessment of the final section of the cave, particularly narrow and technically demanding, confirmed that the extensive passage enlargement initially feared would not be necessary. Nevertheless, several unstable rocks had to be removed to allow the stretcher to pass safely.
Outside the cave, the casualty was transferred to the Bosnian rescue medical team and transported by ambulance to hospital. The rescue operation was completed at 16:00 (CEST) on 10 September.
CNSAS wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the Gorska Služba Spašavanja Bosne i Hercegovine for the professionalism, availability and outstanding cooperation of all of their technicians. This operation highlights the value of the European network of cave rescue organizations and the importance of the relationships built through the European Cave Rescue Association, which are essential for ensuring rapid and effective mutual assistance during international rescue operations.
Photos: Gorska Služba Spašavanja Bosne i Hercegovine
