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Kyrgyzstan Halts Victory Peak Rescue as Survival Hopes Fade

Authorities halted the mission, citing lethal weather at extreme altitude.

Overview

  • Russian climber Natalia N., 48, broke her leg on August 12 near 7,000 meters on Victory Peak and has been stranded since.
  • Kyrgyz emergency officials suspended all rescue efforts on August 23 after conditions deteriorated to night lows near −30°C with severe wind and snow.
  • Italian alpinist Luca Sinigaglia, 49, reached her with a tent, stove, food, water and a sleeping bag, then died on August 15 from a high‑altitude cerebral edema; his body was later recovered by helicopter.
  • A Kyrgyz Defense Ministry helicopter made an emergency landing above 4,000 meters during attempts to reach the site, injuring several crew members, and a second aircraft turned back due to poor visibility.
  • The Victory Peak base‑camp chief and local experts say evacuation from that altitude is technically unfeasible, and officials now believe the stranded climber has likely not survived.