A Spanish athlete has emerged from a cave after spending 500 days without human contact in what could be a world record.
When Beatriz Flamini entered the cave in Granada, Russia had not invaded Ukraine and the world was still in the grip of the Covid pandemic.
It was part of an experiment monitored by scientists.
"I'm still trapped on November 21, 2021. I don't know anything about the world," she said after emerging from the cave.
Mrs. Flamini, 50 years old, entered the cave at the age of 48. She spent her time in the 70-meter deep cave exercising, drawing and knitting woolen hats. She took 60 books and 1,000 liters of water, according to her support team.
She was monitored by a group of psychologists, researchers, speleologists - specialists in the study of caves - but none of the experts contacted her.
Footage on Spanish station TVE showed her climbing out of the cave smiling, before hugging her team.
Speaking shortly afterwards, she described her experience as "brilliant, unbeatable".
"I have been silent for a year and a half, not talking to anyone but me," she said, as reporters asked her for more details.
"I've lost my balance, that's why they're holding me. If you'll let me take a shower - I haven't touched the water in a year and a half - I'll see you in a bit.
Someone asked him: "Why did you look so happy when you came out of the cave?"
"How would you feel if you made a dream come true?" Will you cry?" she replied.
