Kyrgyzstan halts rescue for climber Natasha Nagovitsina on Victory Peak after Luca Sinigaglia death
Share and Follow

The effort to rescue an experienced climber has been halted in Kyrgyzstan, almost two weeks since Natasha Nagovitsina, aged 47, sustained a leg injury close to the peak of the nation’s highest mountain, as per reports.

Nagovitsina, a Russian climber who became well-known four years ago for her decision to stay with her husband following his stroke, has been stranded at an altitude of 22,965 feet on Victory Peak since August 12, according to the Daily Mail.

Despite her efforts, her husband died. 

The summit of Victory Peak, in the Tian Shan Mountain Range on the border with China, is 24,406 feet.

Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak, is 29,032 feet. 

The decision to pause the rescue operation follows the tragic death of Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia, who lost his life while trying to assist Nagovitsina, reported the Italian newspaper L’Unione Sarda.

Sinigaglia died of hypothermia on Aug. 15, after making it up to where Nagovitsina was stuck, giving her a tent, sleeping bag, food, water and a gas cooker, the Daily Mail reported. 

Other attempts to save her both via climbing and twice with a helicopter have failed, including an effort in a defense ministry helicopter that crashed.

The crash left four injured, according to the London Times. 

The final attempt to rescue Nagovitsina was abandoned some 3,000 feet below where she is after the weather took a turn for the worse.


The summit of Victory Peak, in the Tian Shan Mountain Range on the border with China, is 24,406 feet.
The summit of Victory Peak (not pictured), in the Tian Shan Mountain Range on the border with China, is 24,406 feet.

Luca Sinigaglia was identified as the climber who died while attempting to help Nagovitsina. 
Luca Sinigaglia was identified as the climber who died while attempting to help Nagovitsina.  Luca Sinigaglia/Facebook

Rescue leader Dmitry Grekov said he didn’t think Nagovitsina could still be alive, according to the Daily Mail. 

“I think not, because she has been there since 12 August – count how much time has passed,” he said. “It is unrealistic. It is unrealistic to survive at such an altitude.”

A drone that flew over where she was sheltering confirmed she was alive as of Tuesday, but there was no sign of life when the drone flew over on Thursday as temperatures sunk as low as minus 9 degrees Fahrenheit, The Times reported. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
SNL gathers big-name cast to roast NYC mayoral debate in cold open

SNL Assembles Star-Studded Cast for Satirical Take on NYC Mayoral Debate in Cold Open

In the latest cold open of Saturday Night Live, the focus was…
FILE - Former Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins is consoled after Kentucky Democratic Senate Alison Grimes gave her concession speech, Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/ John Flavell, File)

Trailblazing Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins Passes Away at 88

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Martha Layne Collins, the trailblazing first female governor…
University of Pennsylvania investigating vulgar emails sent from school account blasting 'woke' institution

University of Pennsylvania Probes Offensive Emails Criticizing ‘Woke’ Policies

The University of Pennsylvania is currently conducting an investigation following reports of…
'People were listening': Prosecutor says Charlie Kirk was targeted for his influence

Prosecutor Highlights Charlie Kirk’s Influence as Key Factor in Targeting

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was tragically shot…
Miles Teller battles a hangover during SNL hosting gig

Miles Teller Triumphs Over Hangover to Deliver Memorable SNL Hosting Performance

Miles Teller graced the Saturday Night Live stage once more, stepping into…
Louvre jewels heist: Two new suspects handed preliminary charges, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau says

New Developments in Louvre Jewel Heist: Paris Prosecutor Charges Two Additional Suspects

PARIS — In an intriguing twist to the ongoing investigation into the…
Hegseth declines to discuss possible US strikes in Venezuela, blames Dems on troop pay amid shutdown

Hegseth Avoids Venezuela Strike Talks, Criticizes Democrats Over Troop Pay During Shutdown

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth remained tight-lipped about the possibility of…
Dog rushed to vet after ingesting methamphetamine during walk in park

Urgent Vet Visit: Dog Accidentally Consumes Methamphetamine at Local Park

A dog owner in Southern California faced a frightening situation when her…