Swiss families breathe sigh of relief

Rescuers have been working round the clock

By Imogen Foulkes in Berne

The families of the Swiss potholers who have been trapped since Wednesday night in a cave in eastern France breathed a sigh of relief as all eight were discovered alive and well.

We all cheered and hugged each other when we heard that the students had been found alive

Swiss consular official

Family members began arriving in France on Thursday, and have kept a vigil as rescue efforts continue.

Over 300 firemen, police and rescue workers have been working round the clock to free the seven students and their guide after they were trapped in the cave by a flash flood.

As the cold wet weather continued, and no sign of the potholers was found, hopes of rescuing them alive were beginning to fade.

Psychologists were brought in to counsel family members.

Then, at around 1030 local time (0830 GMT) rescue workers made contact with the eight, who were found sheltering above the water, on a ledge in the cave.

"We are enormously relieved at this news," said a Swiss consular official who has been accompanying family members at the scene.

"We all cheered and hugged each other when we heard that the students had been found alive."

The director of the company which organised the caving trip said he too was relieved.

It's the end of a nightmare for us

College director

"I'm overcome," said Valentin Vonder Mühll, "the last 36 hours have been unbearable for everyone here. We were cheering and crying when we heard that they had been found."

Meanwhile the director of the social work college in Zurich where seven out of the eight were students also greeted the news with relief.

"I am delighted," said Markus Brändle, "it's the end of a nightmare for us."

Course work

The college had sent two lecturers to the scene of the rescue operation in France.

It is believed the caving trip was part of the students' course work, to help develop their ability to face challenges in their future profession.

Rescuers tried to pump the flood waters out of the cave

The Swiss Government has also expressed its pleasure that the potholers have been found alive.

Swiss Foreign Minister Joseph Deiss said he was "very happy and relieved" at the news.

He also extended Switzerland's thanks to the French Foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine, for the French efforts to rescue the trapped Swiss.

Mr Vedrine is currently in Switzerland on an official visit.

Rescue workers at the scene believe it will be several more hours before the potholers can be brought to the surface.

In the meantime a doctor and two divers have been able to reach them, and supply them with hot drinks and food.

Family members are now being taken to the site where the eight are expected be brought up.