Overview

• Luca Sinigaglia, 49, died around 6,800–6,900 meters after multiple aid attempts, with reports citing high‑altitude cerebral edema and hypothermia, and his body remains in a high‑altitude cave.
• The Russian climber, Natalia Nagovitsyna, fractured a leg near the summit on August 12 and has been immobilized at roughly 7,000–7,200 meters.
• Kyrgyz defense officials said a drone flight on August 19 verified Nagovitsyna is alive, and poor weather has repeatedly limited access at extreme altitude.
• Authorities evacuated 62 people from Pobeda and nearby Khan Tengri with Mi‑8 helicopters, but a Mi‑8 sent on August 16 made an emergency landing above 4,000 meters, injuring crew and rescuers and prompting a formal inquiry.
• Plans call for a private helicopter operation carrying Italian specialists Michele Cucchi, Manuel Munari, and Mario Sottile to attempt the evacuation and, if feasible, the recovery of Sinigaglia’s body, with timing dependent on improved conditions.