A 43-year-old British diver was found dead around 270ft below the surface in France’s Saint Sauveur underwater cave network, two days after disappearing during a dive. His recovery has been delayed by narrow passages, poor visibility and his body becoming entangled in a guideline, highlighting the dangers of specialist cave diving.

The man entered the cave system at about 3.30pm on Friday, and fellow divers raised the alarm when he failed to return by 8pm. Rescuers searched an air chamber and other parts of the labyrinth, but the operation was complicated by disturbed clay and muddy water; specialist teams are expected to return with additional equipment, while authorities investigate the cause of death.