Three people rescued by helicopter from rising tide at Étretat

A rising tide trapped three people in a cave at Étretat, on France’s Normandy coast, on Tuesday evening.

A gendarmerie patrol spotted lights from the cave and alerted rescue services.

A civil security helicopter lifted them to safety and brought them to a chapel in Étretat, where rescuers received them.

They were safe, and no medical care was needed.

The site is known for incidents because the sea can cut off the only exit within minutes as the tide rises.

Officials advise visitors to check tide times and levels, keep watch on the sea, and call for help early if they are in trouble.

In an emergency, they say to call 196 or use VHF channel 16.