Flash flood traps11 in huge bat cave in west Romania

BUCHAREST, Romania – Flash floods trapped 11 people, including four French citizens Monday in a huge bat cave in western Romania. Two were later rescued and authorities said there was no danger to the remaining nine.

A spokeswoman for the local emergency services, Alina Marescu, told The Associated Press that most of those stranded in the cave by the flood that came after torrential rain on Monday afternoon were aged 15-17. She said two people were later rescued.

Two of those trapped by the water were experienced speleologists, or those who study caves, Marescu said.

Another emergency spokeswoman, Mihaela Albu, told Mediafax private news agency that the remaining nine were not in any danger.

Marescu told the AP there was room for people to take shelter in the Huda lui Papara cave, a massive cave which is home to the largest bat colony in Europe, located in the Apuseni Mountains in the northwestern Transylvania region.

Specialized teams from three counties were trying to rescue those trapped and Marescu said water levels were falling.