New bid to rescue potholers

Rescuers are sending down food and drink to the stranded group

GOUMOIS, France -- Rescue workers are seeking to free eight Swiss potholers who have survived being trapped in a flooded French cave for two days.

Divers found the inexperienced team alive but stranded in a narrow fault around 100 metres (300 feet) from the entrance to the cave near the town of Goumois.

An attempt by around 300 French and Swiss rescuers to reach the five men and three women on Friday was delayed after pumps used to reduce the volume of water in the cave failed to cope with a surge in underground water levels.

Rescue worker Eric Zipper told the Reuters news agency: "Our pumps are getting flooded out. Only three out of 12 are now working."

VIDEO Rescuers make contact with five men and three women trapped by cave flooding. CNN's Peter Humi reports (May 18) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

He said the potholers were safe "and keeping their feet dry."

The rescuers had hoped to reach the group on Friday afternoon, but the operation continued into the night.

The potholers are all amateurs aged between 25 and 30. Seven are student social workers from a Zurich college and one is a teacher.

Television reports said they had undertaken the tour to help develop their ability to face challenges in their careers.

Rescuers have been at the site since midnight on Wednesday, but only managed to get inside the cave on Thursday evening.

The cave, about 20 kilometres (30 miles) from the Swiss border, is not deep but covers about 415 metres.

It is considered an ideal site for potholers -- but only in the right weather conditions, experts said.

The prefect for Doubs region, Alain Gehain, told French television that rainfall in the area during the last month was around 80 percent higher than last year's levels.

Divers are supplying the group with food, drinks and survival blankets.