Overview
- Authorities and volunteer groups said Zakharova was discovered alive on Oct. 21 after descending from the mountain into wetlands where mobile service was unavailable.
- The operation expanded to about 104 personnel with 20 units of equipment, including a Ka-32 helicopter provided by Bashkortostan.
- Search efforts were repeatedly complicated by dense fog, snow and strong winds, which at times halted work and prevented use of drones.
- According to Liza Alert, she had voluntarily separated from a non-organized group during a Ural peaks contest and continued the route on her own.
- EMERCOM units from Bashkortostan and Chelyabinsk, police, canine teams and trained volunteers coordinated the cross-regional search, and volunteers ultimately made the find.