American explorer discharged from hospital after falling ill in Türkiye's cave

By Serkan Avci

MERSIN, Türkiye (AA) - Mark Dickey, an American explorer who fell ill and was rescued from a cave in southern Türkiye earlier this week was discharged from the hospital after completing his treatment on Sunday.

Mark Dickey embarked on an exploration Sept. 3 of Morca Cave in the Anamur district of Mersin province where he was rescued at a depth of nearly 1,276 meters (1,396 feet) Tuesday after experiencing internal bleeding.

His treatment at the hospital in Mersin was concluded on Saturday.

Accompanied by his fiancée, Jessica Van Ord, Dickey was discharged after the necessary procedures on Sunday.

Efforts to evacuate Dickey began Sept. 9 under the coordination of Türkiye's State Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

Search and rescue experts, along with medical teams, reached Dickey at the campsite located at a depth of 180 meters.

After checks, the American mountaineer was transported on a stretcher and brought out of the cave, navigating through challenging narrow passages.

The evacuation operation involved 196 search and rescue experts from eight countries in addition to Turkish teams, including AFAD, Turkish National Medical Rescue Team, gendarmerie, European Cave Rescue Association and the Türkiye Caving Federation.