Tent of Missing Belarusian Mountaineers Found in Kyrgyzstan Mountains

A tent belonging to the missing group of mountaineers has been found in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. No one was inside, Sputnik Kyrgyzstan reports, citing Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The group, which includes two Belarusians, climbed Kurumdy Peak in the Trans-Alay Range via the North Ridge. On Aug. 4, the mountaineers told the operator they were ready to descend, but since then they have not been in contact and failed to reach the designated checkpoint. The third member of the group is a Lithuanian citizen (some sources say a Latvian citizen).

A rescue team has been formed to search for the mountaineers. The search is ongoing.

“On Aug. 8, emergency responders from the Ministry of Emergency Situations conducted a search and spent the night at an altitude of 5,000 meters. Today, five rescuers with special equipment, five Border Service personnel and two volunteer guides — Swiss citizens — joined the search operation,” Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said.