The rescue services have not yet come into contact with the cave climbers who were locked in the Wielka Sniezna cave in the Tatra Mountains last Saturday, reports Polish TVN, according to the AP.

The cave is the longest and deepest in the mountain range and consists of a complex system of passages and running water.

"Can take days"

Rescuers are preparing to use explosives to open a new path for the cave climbers. The work is made more difficult by floods, which also pose a safety risk to those who participate in the effort.

A group of rescue climbers return after searching for the missing cave climbers in Poland on Sunday. Photo: Agencja Gazeta / REUTERS / TT

- We have the necessary tools, but it will take a long time. We must be ready for the work to take days, if not weeks, ”Rescue Chief Jan Krzysztof tells TVN.