In Kyrgyzstan, a rescue operation for an experienced climber was called off nearly two weeks after Natasha Nagovituna, a 47-year-old Russian mountaineer, broke her leg close to the summit of the country’s tallest mountain. She became well-known a few years ago when she chose to stay with her husband, who had suffered a stroke, but tragically, he later passed away.
Nagovituna has been stranded atop Victory Peak, which stands at about 22,965 feet, since August 12. The peak itself is part of the Tian Shan Mountains, located on the border with China, with Victory Peak being a remarkable landmark in the region. For perspective, Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, reaches 29,032 feet.
The rescue efforts faced a tragic turn when Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia, who had come to assist Nagovituna, died from hypothermia after reaching her location on August 15. Reports say he was equipped with a tent, sleeping bag, food, and other supplies but succumbed to the harsh conditions.
Multiple attempts have been made to retrieve her, including helicopter missions, which ultimately failed due to treacherous weather and other complications. Interestingly, there was an incident involving a crashed Ministry of Defense helicopter during one of these rescue tries.
Rescue operations were ultimately suspended after conditions worsened. They ended approximately 3,000 feet below where Nagovituna remains. Rescue commander Dmitry Grekov expressed doubts about her chances of survival, stating, “I don’t think she is still alive. Being up there since August 12, it’s just not realistic to survive.”
The temperatures in the area where she is trapped had plummeted to around -9 degrees Fahrenheit by the weekend. A drone was sent to locate her and confirmed she was alive as of Tuesday, but a follow-up flight saw no signs of life when the temperature dropped further.
