Overview
- The Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia Regional (COER) Áncash reported Wednesday that three mountaineers are presumed missing on Nevado Huascarán in the section between Campo 2 and Campo 1 at about 6,000–6,300 meters above sea level.
- Authorities and media identified the missing climbers as Alejandro Manuel Ugarte, Saúl Mendoza and Artidoro Salas, with two reported from Lima and one from Huaraz.
- A ground search team of roughly 20 specialized rescuers and guides has moved into the area to begin rescue efforts.
- The Ministry of the Interior dispatched a PNP helicopter to Áncash to reinforce the operation, and officials say any flights will depend on weather conditions and aircraft availability.
- Huascarán is one of Peru’s most technical high-altitude peaks, which raises risks for both the climbers and rescuers and means operations could be prolonged as teams manage crevasses, avalanches and changing weather.