LARGEST CAVE IN MIDDLE EAST DISCOVERED IN LEBANON
August 4, 2024Lebanon has broken the record for the LARGEST cave in the Middle East and the deepest sinkhole in the region!
In this exclusive report, I reveal the details of this fascinating cave highlighting once again, the beauty of this biblical land called Lebanon.
Qattine Azar, the name of this cave, was discovered in the late 20th century. But in 2022, an expedition was undertaken by two organisations: Continent 8 and ALES to extend the exploration of this cave and the vast treasures it hides.
This latest expedition not only broke the record for the largest cave in the Middle East but uncovered a large subterranean river that now supplies tens of villages with water.
Watch the full video and see for yourself the amazing scenery that this new cave provides
English Script:
Daizy Gedeon: This is a unique story about the uncovering of a priceless gem in Lebanon, the biggest cave system in the Middle East! Despite everything that Lebanon is facing, its bountiful natural landscapes and features have always transcended human folly and crisis, reminding us all that Lebanon is a sacred land precious to all humanity that must be preserved and protected. The cave spanned more than 11,867m, a sinkhole whose depth exceeds 507m, deeper and longer than any sinkhole in the region. This is the story of Qattine Azar.
Samer Amhaz: My name is Samer Amhaz. I’m a caver, professional caver, I belong, I joined ALES (Association Libanaise d’Études Spéléologiques) in 2007. Today we are celebrating 30 years anniversary of our association. Plus, we are celebrating the issue of the new publication entitled “Qattine Azar Sinkhole”, the biggest underground complex in the Middle East and the Levant.
Fadi Beayno: My name is Fadi Beayno. And I am very proud that for more than 28 years or 27 years of exploration, we have reached a superposition of different exploration, of different areas lengths to reach the biggest or the longest pothole or cave system in Lebanon, but also in the Levant.
Daizy gedeon: Located near Aintoura, el Metn. This cave system is no ordinary hole. First stumbled upon in 1996 by local villagers, the cave was then explored by professional cavers from the Lebanese Association for Speleological Studies.
Samer Amhaz: It was discovered in 1996 by coincidence by two villagers from the Aintoura village. One week after we had one, one of our members, he’s our father and our founder father. He was in the region doing a hike with two of our colleagues. And then they met these guys, and then they told them about a new cave that they found. And that’s how we knew about the cave of Qattine Azar.
Daizy: Since then, many expeditions have been undertaken to explore its internal cavities and determine its real size. Now, almost 30 years later, the most recent voyage, a joint project between a French delegation called Continent 8 and ALES in 2022, took the explorers to new and greater depths. But the cave held more surprises within this chasm of natural beauty, a massive river was discovered.
Elaine Rechmeni Maasri: We started making a plan to go every weekend and stay up all night. Week after week, weekend after weekend, until the cave opened, and we reached the water. We reached the subterranean river, and here is the biggest discovery. The most beautiful thing that can be seen underground is the subterranean river. This is priceless.
Daizy Gedeon: It was following this joint expedition in 2022 that Qattine Azar was declared the largest cave, not just in Lebanon, but in the entire Middle East. And the massive river that was discovered now supplies over 27 villages with fresh drinking water.
Fadi Beayno: We have made, like a deal and a collaboration with the Ministry of Water and we were able to pump water for more than 27 villages in the Metn area.
Daizy Gedeon: But it seems this is not the end of the exploration of Qattine Azar as Samer tells us, there is much more to discover and possibly many, many more meters of undiscovered cave system that await future cavers.
Samer Amhaz: We are like 11,800K, 11, 800 meters. I think we have like, double or triple this number. We have seen that we have a lot of possibility to continue to extend the limit of this cave.
Daizy Gedeon: For many, Lebanon is viewed as a place of war, the Beirut Port Blast, economic collapse and hardship. But those who have been to Lebanon and witnessed its majesty, have a deeper and purer appreciation of its diverse natural beauty, confounding complexity and its rich history that extends thousands of years Before Christ. Qattine Azar is just the latest example of the wonders of this historic, biblical land that is precious to all humanity.
