Rescue Halted on Kyrgyzstan’s Highest Peak After Italian Climber Dies Trying to Save Injured Russian Woman

‏A dramatic rescue mission on Kyrgyzstan’s highest mountain has been suspended indefinitely due to dangerous weather conditions, authorities confirmed Saturday, after an Italian climber died attempting to save a stranded Russian woman.

Natalia Nagovitsyna, 48, has been trapped for nearly two weeks on Victory Peak — also known as Jengish Chokusu — after suffering a broken leg at around 23,000 feet. The summit rises to 24,406 feet, making it the tallest mountain in the Tian Shan range on the China–Kyrgyzstan border.

Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia died on August 15 while trying to reach her, according to Italian and Kyrgyz officials. A helicopter team sent to recover his body has so far been unable to complete the mission due to the high altitude and severe weather.

Kyrgyz emergency services spokesperson Adil Chargynov told Russian state media that “weather conditions deteriorated sharply,” forcing all rescue efforts to be halted. Nighttime temperatures at the summit have plunged to -22°F (-30°C), with strong winds and snowstorms complicating any potential rescue.

A drone confirmed Nagovitsyna was still alive as of Tuesday, but by Thursday, no further signs of life were detected, according to The Times. Authorities now fear she may have succumbed to the elements.

“We know where she is, but it’s impossible to get there,” said Dmitry Grekov, head of the Victory Peak base camp. “No one has ever been evacuated from that altitude without a helicopter, and Kyrgyzstan doesn’t have aircraft capable of operating at that height.”

A rescue helicopter previously crashed during the operation, and a climbing team was forced to abandon their attempt after their expedition leader became seriously ill.

Nagovitsyna, a seasoned mountaineer, lost her husband Sergei in 2021 after he suffered a stroke while climbing Khan Tengri (23,028 feet), the highest mountain in Kazakhstan. Russian media reported that she made headlines at the time for refusing to leave his side on the mountain.

Victory Peak, known for its extreme weather and technical difficulty, has seen multiple fatalities this season. Earlier this month, a Chinese climber died on K2, and in July, German Olympic gold medalist Laura Dahlmeier was killed while scaling another Central Asian peak.

Despite her vast experience, Nagovitsyna’s rescue attempt highlights the unforgiving nature of high-altitude climbing and the logistical challenges faced by rescue teams in remote, hostile environments.