Bizarre "tourist" death in world's deepest known cave
- Thread starter David Rose
- Start date
Paul Marvin
Member
Hadnt anybody reported him missing ? :-\
The recovery completed on the 17th August. A summary has been received by the ECRA (Dinko Novosol) and this is the Google translate of the message:
"
04 August
Excerpt from the publication of the press of Abkhazia
On August 3, at 4:00 am, the speleological group of the Perovsky Club from Moscow, which has been working in Verevkin's cave for 30 years, found the body of a tourist. First, they saw a rope at the entrance well, found some things in a cave, and at a depth of 1100 meters a human body was hanging on a rope.
According to Snetkov, it was possible to determine that the deceased was a tourist by his equipment, which did not correspond to the complexity of the cave and the route. The man might not have enough strength and experience to overcome the difficult section.
Moreover, he stressed, descent into such caves alone is a gross violation of safety regulations. The cavers did not find any documents confirming his identity. Snetkov suggested that the tragedy most likely occurred in the summer or fall of last year.
The Union of Cavers of Russia informed the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia about the discovery of a human body in Verevkin's cave.
"We need to find the documents and relatives of this person. They must tell what to do next. Usually they try to pull the body to the surface, but from such a depth it is very difficult to do it. This will require from 50 to 100 qualified cavers. There are quite dangerous places in the cave and areas where it is simply impossible to drag a stretcher with the body, "Snedkov said.
He added that members of the Union of Cavers of Russia are preparing to leave for Abkhazia, if the rescuers of the republic turn to them with such a request.
06 August
At the moment, there is a senior authorized officer of the Internal Affairs Directorate of Abkhazia, who is conducting an inquiry. Based on the results, a decision will be made on the conduct of the evacuation and methods. We wait. While the departure of rescuers and equipment was slowed down until the situation was clarified.
Identity identified. Permission was obtained from his wife to evacuate the body from the cave.
There are now about 30 people at the site from the Perovo club (Moscow) - the leader is Aleksey Barashkov and 20 speleoscuers led by Philip Cherednichenko.
Permission for rescue operations received from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia
On a tip from the Prosecutor of Abkhazia and with the help of LizaAlert, the body was identified. This is Sergey Kazeev. Single tourist, 37 years old. Resident of Adler, citizen of the Russian Federation.
A request was received from relatives to raise the victim to the surface.
Legal formalities are being settled. The Abkhazian UVD finished its work on the surface, the Act was drawn up. Part of the photographic materials was transferred to the detective officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, who is conducting the case on the search for Sergei (resident of Sochi, age 37, a mountain tourist with mountaineering skills, a lover of solo travel, stopped communicating on November 1).
A group of certified rescuers prepares to arrive at the site to prepare the victim for transport.
07 August
The cave is being prepared for transportation. Wells and plumb bobs are equipped for lifting. PBLs are filled with the necessary.
Collection of donations begins
09 august
There is no news yet. The cave is being prepared for operation.
Legal formalities are being settled.
Necessary items are additionally purchased.
Fundraising is in progress.
11th August
A group is sent to the cave to pack the body. Including a speleologist-pathologist.
Legal formalities have been settled.
If the Ministry of Emergency Situations manages to get permission from the authorities, then, perhaps, they will join the work.
Preparation of the cave for transportation continues.
12th of August
Exit to the cave of the packing group. Overnight at -600
13 August
Heavy rains on the surface caused flooding. After waiting a little, group 1 continued downward and spent the night in the camp at -1000. The camp was designed for 4 people. The rescuers dried themselves after the transition and spent the night in two sleeping bags.
August 14
In the morning, the wetsuits ordered the day before were brought to the -1000 camp and the packing group moved to the body.
Observing all caution, using protective clothing, masks and respirators, the rescuers removed the suspended body from the hinge and packed it in 10 special bags. The whole body would not have passed through numerous narrows. The packing procedure was agreed with the relatives of the deceased and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia. Transportation to the surface began. Group 1 spent the night at camp -600. Group two picked up the remaining bags at -1100.
August 15
Continued transportation of the body to the surface. In the Babatunda well (about -400), group 3 helped to lift the bags in the plumb line of the well. A representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia also worked in this group. Groups 1 and 3 came to the surface. The body bags were left at the bottom of the entrance well at a temperature of about + 4-6C. Until the moment of transfer to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia. Group 2 transports bags to camp - 600.
16 August
Group 1 again went down to the -400 camp for the bags and helped in transporting the body to the bottom of the entrance well. Groups 1 and 2 come to the surface.
17 August
Rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia arrived (by car to the borders of pastures and about an hour on foot). The body bags were lifted and handed over to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia. The Act has been drawn up.
The operation lasted 14 days (from August 4-17), it was attended by:
Gennady Samokhin (RSS) - preparation, packing group
Vladimir Akimov (SDS +) - preparation, packing group
Yuri Popov (TC Berendei, Tomsk) - packing group
Philip Cherednichenko (SDS +) - Field Operations Leadership
Snetkov Evgenia (RCC) - negotiations with the state structures of the Republic of Armenia, general coordination, preparation
Alexey Barashkov (SK Perovo, Moscow) - transportation
Lyudmila Basharina (Perm) - transportation, documentation
Anna Barashkova (SK Perovo) - transportation
Amina Chanysheva (Dzerzhinets, St. Petersburg) -transportation
Maxim Makarov (SK Perovo) - transportation
Egor Chegodaev (SK Belaya Mouse, Moscow) - transportation
Sergey Tyapko (SK Perovo) -transportation
Alexey Petrenko (SK Perovo) - transportation
Ivan Kamenev (SK Perovo) -transportation
Sergey Panferov (SK Perovo) - transportation
Sergey Ivanov (SK Perovo) - transportation
Fat Smyr (RA Ministry of Emergency Situations) - RA leadership, transportation
Valery Mumjan (Ministry of Emergency Situations of RA) - transportation
Ruslan Svetlov (SK Karst, Simferopol) -transportation
Zaven Varvashtian (Tsandripsh) - transport
Galina Fedorova (SK 13mm, Moscow) - cash and accounting support on site
Andrey Churkin (LizaAlert) - consultations, identification of the deceased
Max Kozlov (Krymspas) - consultations, equipment for special PPE
Yuri Fomin (PSO EMERCOM, Sochi) - consultations
Nadezhda Kudiyarova - preparation
Grigory Sanevich (Lanyard) - manufacturing of special bags
Andrey Leonov - consultations
Nastya Yanina - consultations
And 134 more people who transferred money to financially support the operation.
The family of the deceased sincerely thanks and sends a deep bow to all those who participated in this difficult operation.
Part of the photo at the request is posted on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100000511844649&set=a.4958214464205566
Sincerely,
Akimov Vladimir
"
The link does work and can be copied and pasted if necessary.
A fuller report is promised.
PeteA
"
04 August
Excerpt from the publication of the press of Abkhazia
On August 3, at 4:00 am, the speleological group of the Perovsky Club from Moscow, which has been working in Verevkin's cave for 30 years, found the body of a tourist. First, they saw a rope at the entrance well, found some things in a cave, and at a depth of 1100 meters a human body was hanging on a rope.
According to Snetkov, it was possible to determine that the deceased was a tourist by his equipment, which did not correspond to the complexity of the cave and the route. The man might not have enough strength and experience to overcome the difficult section.
Moreover, he stressed, descent into such caves alone is a gross violation of safety regulations. The cavers did not find any documents confirming his identity. Snetkov suggested that the tragedy most likely occurred in the summer or fall of last year.
The Union of Cavers of Russia informed the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia about the discovery of a human body in Verevkin's cave.
"We need to find the documents and relatives of this person. They must tell what to do next. Usually they try to pull the body to the surface, but from such a depth it is very difficult to do it. This will require from 50 to 100 qualified cavers. There are quite dangerous places in the cave and areas where it is simply impossible to drag a stretcher with the body, "Snedkov said.
He added that members of the Union of Cavers of Russia are preparing to leave for Abkhazia, if the rescuers of the republic turn to them with such a request.
06 August
At the moment, there is a senior authorized officer of the Internal Affairs Directorate of Abkhazia, who is conducting an inquiry. Based on the results, a decision will be made on the conduct of the evacuation and methods. We wait. While the departure of rescuers and equipment was slowed down until the situation was clarified.
Identity identified. Permission was obtained from his wife to evacuate the body from the cave.
There are now about 30 people at the site from the Perovo club (Moscow) - the leader is Aleksey Barashkov and 20 speleoscuers led by Philip Cherednichenko.
Permission for rescue operations received from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia
On a tip from the Prosecutor of Abkhazia and with the help of LizaAlert, the body was identified. This is Sergey Kazeev. Single tourist, 37 years old. Resident of Adler, citizen of the Russian Federation.
A request was received from relatives to raise the victim to the surface.
Legal formalities are being settled. The Abkhazian UVD finished its work on the surface, the Act was drawn up. Part of the photographic materials was transferred to the detective officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, who is conducting the case on the search for Sergei (resident of Sochi, age 37, a mountain tourist with mountaineering skills, a lover of solo travel, stopped communicating on November 1).
A group of certified rescuers prepares to arrive at the site to prepare the victim for transport.
07 August
The cave is being prepared for transportation. Wells and plumb bobs are equipped for lifting. PBLs are filled with the necessary.
Collection of donations begins
09 august
There is no news yet. The cave is being prepared for operation.
Legal formalities are being settled.
Necessary items are additionally purchased.
Fundraising is in progress.
11th August
A group is sent to the cave to pack the body. Including a speleologist-pathologist.
Legal formalities have been settled.
If the Ministry of Emergency Situations manages to get permission from the authorities, then, perhaps, they will join the work.
Preparation of the cave for transportation continues.
12th of August
Exit to the cave of the packing group. Overnight at -600
13 August
Heavy rains on the surface caused flooding. After waiting a little, group 1 continued downward and spent the night in the camp at -1000. The camp was designed for 4 people. The rescuers dried themselves after the transition and spent the night in two sleeping bags.
August 14
In the morning, the wetsuits ordered the day before were brought to the -1000 camp and the packing group moved to the body.
Observing all caution, using protective clothing, masks and respirators, the rescuers removed the suspended body from the hinge and packed it in 10 special bags. The whole body would not have passed through numerous narrows. The packing procedure was agreed with the relatives of the deceased and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia. Transportation to the surface began. Group 1 spent the night at camp -600. Group two picked up the remaining bags at -1100.
August 15
Continued transportation of the body to the surface. In the Babatunda well (about -400), group 3 helped to lift the bags in the plumb line of the well. A representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia also worked in this group. Groups 1 and 3 came to the surface. The body bags were left at the bottom of the entrance well at a temperature of about + 4-6C. Until the moment of transfer to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia. Group 2 transports bags to camp - 600.
16 August
Group 1 again went down to the -400 camp for the bags and helped in transporting the body to the bottom of the entrance well. Groups 1 and 2 come to the surface.
17 August
Rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia arrived (by car to the borders of pastures and about an hour on foot). The body bags were lifted and handed over to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Abkhazia. The Act has been drawn up.
The operation lasted 14 days (from August 4-17), it was attended by:
Gennady Samokhin (RSS) - preparation, packing group
Vladimir Akimov (SDS +) - preparation, packing group
Yuri Popov (TC Berendei, Tomsk) - packing group
Philip Cherednichenko (SDS +) - Field Operations Leadership
Snetkov Evgenia (RCC) - negotiations with the state structures of the Republic of Armenia, general coordination, preparation
Alexey Barashkov (SK Perovo, Moscow) - transportation
Lyudmila Basharina (Perm) - transportation, documentation
Anna Barashkova (SK Perovo) - transportation
Amina Chanysheva (Dzerzhinets, St. Petersburg) -transportation
Maxim Makarov (SK Perovo) - transportation
Egor Chegodaev (SK Belaya Mouse, Moscow) - transportation
Sergey Tyapko (SK Perovo) -transportation
Alexey Petrenko (SK Perovo) - transportation
Ivan Kamenev (SK Perovo) -transportation
Sergey Panferov (SK Perovo) - transportation
Sergey Ivanov (SK Perovo) - transportation
Fat Smyr (RA Ministry of Emergency Situations) - RA leadership, transportation
Valery Mumjan (Ministry of Emergency Situations of RA) - transportation
Ruslan Svetlov (SK Karst, Simferopol) -transportation
Zaven Varvashtian (Tsandripsh) - transport
Galina Fedorova (SK 13mm, Moscow) - cash and accounting support on site
Andrey Churkin (LizaAlert) - consultations, identification of the deceased
Max Kozlov (Krymspas) - consultations, equipment for special PPE
Yuri Fomin (PSO EMERCOM, Sochi) - consultations
Nadezhda Kudiyarova - preparation
Grigory Sanevich (Lanyard) - manufacturing of special bags
Andrey Leonov - consultations
Nastya Yanina - consultations
And 134 more people who transferred money to financially support the operation.
The family of the deceased sincerely thanks and sends a deep bow to all those who participated in this difficult operation.
Part of the photo at the request is posted on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=100000511844649&set=a.4958214464205566
Sincerely,
Akimov Vladimir
"
The link does work and can be copied and pasted if necessary.
A fuller report is promised.
PeteA
Speleotron
Member
"the rescuers removed the suspended body from the hinge and packed it in 10 special bags." That sounds grim.
Due to the depth and long tight passages in the upper parts of Veryovkina, transporting it on a stretcher was impossible, so the state prosecutor gave permission to dismember the body and transport it in parts. That was also very challenging as any leak would have long-term impact on its biosphere and safety of the cave. The evacuation team had these 15 bags especially designed and made in record time by one of Moscow-based manufacturers of caving equipment. Bags were transported by individual cavers for most of the cave, in some pitches they were raised on pulleys. Fortunately, everything went smooth and the whole operation took 4 days without any surprises. It was very impressive to watch with how professionally it was planned to the smallest detail and executed, with every team member literally tracked hour-by-hour in the cave.
