Psychologists were brought in to counsel family members. We all cheered and hugged each other when we heard that the students had been found alive. The director of the company which organised the caving trip said he too was relieved. We were cheering and crying when we heard that they had been found. Meanwhile the director of the social work college in Zurich where seven out of the eight were students also greeted the news with relief.
Course work The college had sent two lecturers to the scene of the rescue operation in France.
It is believed the caving trip was part of the students' course work, to help develop their ability to face challenges in their future profession. The Swiss Government has also expressed its pleasure that the potholers have been found alive. He also extended Switzerland's thanks to the French Foreign Minister, Hubert Vedrine, for the French efforts to rescue the trapped Swiss. Mr Vedrine is currently in Switzerland on an official visit. Rescue workers at the scene believe it will be several more hours before the potholers can be brought to the surface.