Five people trapped in Slovenian cave for more than two days rescued

Krizna Jama is the fourth-largest known cave eco-system in the world and can only be accessed by boat

Five people who were trapped in a cave in southwestern Slovenia for days due to high water levels have now all been rescued.

Local officials said the group includes a Slovenian family of three adults and two tour guides.

The tour group was stuck more than a mile deep inside the five-mile cave system which could only be accessed by boat.

The hours-long rescue operation was completed at around midday on Monday after water levels dropped, which meant a team of six divers could reach the group and help them board a small boat to be escorted out of the cave.

The group was stuck inside the Krizna Jama for more than two days after they were unable to get out of the cave due to high water levels caused by heavy rainfall.

Rescuers managed to move the group to safety and shelter in a different area of the cave where they waited for the water levels to fall.

All five people are healthy and are doing well, rescuers have confirmed, despite spending two nights there.

The cave is located in the village of Grahovo, which is nearly 400 kilometres from the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana.

The group entered the cave early on Saturday through a chain of underground lakes.

The water temperature inside the cave was 6C with very low visibility. Rescue teams had been providing them with food, warm clothes and tents as they waited.

Slovenia is known for its more than 14,000 caves.

The Krizna Jama is the fourth-largest known cave eco-system in the world, with tourists visiting its famous emerald green water.

Visitors are only allowed in as part of guided tours.

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