Bodies of Missing Belarusian Alpinists Found by Drone in Kyrgyzstan Mountains
The rescue operation on Peak Kurumdy in Kyrgyzstan's Zaalai Range, which lasted more than a week, is nearing its end. Rescuers found the bodies of three alpinists, including two Belarusians and one Lithuanian citizen. The tragedy likely occurred as a result of a rockfall or a snow-rock mass slide during their descent from the summit.
The missing alpinists. Photo: Jekaterina Rubcova / Facebook
The discovery of the bodies was announced today on Facebook by Alexander Smirnov, who coordinated the search operation on behalf of volunteers and relatives. According to him, the discovery was made with the help of a drone at the site of a snow-rock avalanche, not far from where scattered equipment was found on the slope a day earlier.
"The findings on the slope are connected by a rope; the guys were in one rope team, and lower down the slope, we found the belongings of all three over these days. The group did not separate, they were together and remain together. No one was left alone on the slope," Smirnov noted.
According to preliminary data gathered by drones, the tragedy began at an altitude of approximately 5400 meters. A zone of fresh mass detachment was recorded there, from which a trace leads to the location of the bodies. The exact cause of the fall has not yet been specified.
Pictured: Maksim Palianski, Siarhei Rubtsou, and Mikalai Svirydau
Information about the discovery of the bodies was also confirmed to BELTA agency by Alexander Hadlieuski, Chairman of the Belarusian Federation of Alpinism and Rock Climbing.
Due to the complex snow-ice terrain and the danger of repeated rockfalls, rescuers are currently unable to descend directly to the deceased for final identification and evacuation. The rescuers' camp is temporarily being folded due to deteriorating weather in the mountains. The operation to retrieve the bodies will be planned separately, taking into account the safety of the specialists.
The fundraising effort for the rescue operation, which relatives announced earlier, has been officially closed.
It should be reminded that a group of three experienced alpinists — Belarusians Maksim Palianski and Mikalai Svirydau (both held the title "Snow Leopard" for conquering five seven-thousanders of the former USSR), and Lithuanian citizen Siarhei Rubtsou — ceased communication on August 2. The day before, on August 1, they successfully ascended Peak Kurumdy, 6613 meters high. On August 4 and 5, their driver waited for them in vain at the agreed base camp location, after which large-scale searches began, involving the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan, helicopters, and volunteers from various countries.