Lithuanian traveller and two Belarusians missing in Kyrgyzstan mountains

LRT reported that Lithuanian traveller Sergej Rubcov and two Belarusian citizens have gone missing in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan.

Rubcov’s relatives shared an appeal for help on Facebook. Jekaterina Rubtsova said the group disappeared after an accident in the mountains and that search efforts were under way.

She said difficult weather and hard-to-reach locations were complicating the operation. Additional funding is needed for climbers, specialised equipment, technical resources and a helicopter, she said.

Belarusian outlet Nasha Niva reported that the group was climbing Kurumdy peak, which rises to 6,614 metres, in the Osh region. Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Emergency Situations said rescuers had found the travellers’ empty tent.

The group last made contact on August 4, saying they planned to descend to base camp. They did not arrive there.

The search and rescue operation is taking place at an altitude of about 5,000 metres. Kyrgyz rescuers, border guards and volunteer guides from Switzerland are taking part.