Rescue workers are hoping to free eight tourists trapped in a French cave by sunset.
They have used explosives to drain the cave where the Swiss tourists have been trapped for four days.
Two divers entered the cave this morning to deliver warm clothes, food and water to the group, who are reported to be dry and in good spirits.
The eight cavers, all amateur explorers, were located in one of two cavities known to have air pockets, about 265 feet from the entrance to the cave.
Mr Alain Gehain, the prefect of the Doubs region, where the cave is located, said: "We hope to get them out before sunset."
The rescue attempt has been delayed by continued high water levels in the cave, which did not drop as quickly overnight as had been hoped.
The group - three women and five men in their 20s - have been trapped in the cave on the French-Swiss border since Wednesday. They were found yesterday, huddled in a dry crevice, after heavy rains caused torrents of water that trapped them.
"They are dry and in good spirits," Mr Gehain said.
Once rescuers reach the cavers, they will be outfitted with scuba diving equipment to advance through the flooded tunnels of the cave and then have to walk a short distance along the cave's external wall to reach safety, rescue workers said.
Evacuating them was expected to take several hours. Rescuers are waiting until the water levels inside the cave drop enough so the cavers' heads will be above water during the evacuation, Mr Gehain said.
PA