Escape from Depths: Veryovkina Cave Catastrophe

The Veryovkina Cave, nestled in the Caucasus Mountains between Russia and Georgia, stands as the world's deepest cave, descending a staggering 7,257 feet (2,212 m). Its exploration, beginning in 1968, involved multiple expeditions and meticulous mapping efforts, culminating in the discovery of its official deepest point in 2018, situated at the base of a subterranean lake.

In September 2018, an expedition ventured into Veryovkina, the world's deepest cave, located in the Arabika Massif in Abkhazia. On a mission to explore and record the intricate passages of the cave, National Geographic photographer Robbie Shone joined Pavel Demidov's Russian team along with his assistant Jeff Wade. The cave, known for its challenging conditions, had recently gained fame for reaching a record depth of 7,257 feet (2,212 meters).

As the team settled into their lowest camp, positioned around 6,890 feet (2,100 meters) underground, an unexpected turn of events unfolded. A warning call from two teammates who had left early alerted them to an impending threat. Soon after, the cave resounded to the menacing roar of floodwaters brought about by intense rainfall on the surface. Shone, recounting the experience, vividly described the tumultuous scene as the cavers scrambled to evacuate. The evacuation became a race against time. Clad in latex suits, harnesses, and helmets, they navigated treacherous terrain, climbing vertical ropes to reach safety. The ordeal lasted nearly 20 hours.