A renewed
effort is underway to rescue Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsina, 47, who has
been stranded at around 22,965 feet atop Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan since
August 12, following a broken leg that has left her unable to descend.
Earlier
rescue operations were abandoned due to extreme weather and hazardous terrain.
One climber, Luca Sinigaglia, tragically died of hypothermia during his attempt
to deliver vital supplies—food, water, a tent, and a gas cooker—and a
helicopter mission even ended with a crash that injured four rescuers. Drone
footage confirmed that Nagovitsina was still alive as of August 19.
Now, as weather conditions show signs of improvement, rescuers plan to send another drone to locate her. If she’s confirmed alive, a new rescue attempt will follow; if not, efforts will be publicly concluded. Experts remain grim: Russian Mountaineering Federation leaders warn survival at that elevation is nearly impossible, with expectations that the key window for rescue may have already passed.
