After enduring a staggering 500 days of isolation, living in a dark cave 70 metres beneath the Earth's surface in southern Spain, Beatriz Flamini emerged into the daylight on Friday morning, greeted by a throng of reporters and loud applause. Flamini, 50, wanted to learn more about how the human mind and body cope with extreme solitude and was monitored by teams of scientists associated with the universities of Almería, Granada and Murcia. They stayed in sporadic touch with her through limited messaging technology. During her time underground, Flamini said she faced swarms of flies, read 60 books – and never missed the sunlight.

Addressing a press conference, which caught her off-guard, Flamini said: 'I have no idea what happened. For me it is still November 21, 2021 and seeing you all in masks … for me there is still Covid.' Describing her ups and downs during her period in solitude, Flamini added: 'Both helped me complete the 500 days'

Spanish woman emerges after spending 500 days living alone in cave