Brit diver found dead 270ft deep in narrow cave network two days after vanishing as rescuers attempt to retrieve body

A BRITISH diver has been found dead at the bottom of a 270ft narrow French cave network 48 hours after he went missing. The man, 43, was found on Sunday after he vanished during a dive on Friday in the Saint Sauveur chasm in southwestern France. Rescuers are now attempting to retrieve the body which Local public prosecutor Clara Ribeiro said was found at a depth of around 270ft. Divers could not immediately bring his body to the surface due to rough conditions under the water. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Ms Ribeiro told local media the “site’s unique characteristics greatly complicated the recovery of the body”. She said the diver had become “entangled” in a guideline running through the cave’s narrow passages. The Brit had also disturbed thick clay on the cave floor, turning the water murky and dramatically reducing visibility for rescuers. Local media described parts of the sprawling underwater system as an “abyss”. Specialist divers are expected to return this week with extra equipment in an attempt to bring his body to the surface. The man was reportedly among a group of eight experienced British divers exploring cave systems in France’s Lot region. Most read in The Sun He entered the cave at around 3.30pm on Friday but failed to emerge. His fellow divers raised the alarm at around 8pm, sparking a major search involving firefighters and specialist diving teams. The operation continued until midnight before being suspended. Rescuers returned in greater numbers on Saturday, bringing in additional equipment as they pushed deeper into the labyrinthine cave network. Teams searched an air chamber around 260ft below the surface in the hope the missing Brit had managed to take refuge there. But there was no sign of him. Authorities believed he had been carrying enough oxygen to survive for around eight hours. An additional gas cylinder was later discovered unused. After the air chamber was searched and the estimated eight-hour oxygen window had passed, authorities opened a missing persons investigation. Specialist teams returned to the water on Sunday morning. The diver’s body was discovered later that day. But the hazardous conditions meant rescuers were unable to immediately bring him back to the surface. Authorities are now investigating how he died. Cave diving requires specialist training and careful navigation through submerged passages where depths, tight spaces and poor visibility can make even rescue operations extremely dangerous. More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. Comment now