Russian climber stuck on Biafo Glacier saved by Pak Army in daring rescue

Published July 31, 2018
Russian climber Alexander Gukov was stranded on Biafo Glacier's Latok Top since July 25. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR
Russian climber Alexander Gukov was stranded on Biafo Glacier's Latok Top since July 25. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR

In a daring rescue attempt early on Tuesday, Pakistan Army aviation pilots rescued Russian climber Alexander Gukov who was stuck 20,650 feet above sea level on Biafo Glacier's Latok Peak, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

Alexander Gukov was transported to CMH Skardu. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR
Alexander Gukov was transported to CMH Skardu. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR

Gukov was shifted to Combined Military Hospital Skardu for medical care, the army's media wing said in its press release.

A photograph of Alexander Gukov's position on Latok Top at 20,630 feet. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR
A photograph of Alexander Gukov's position on Latok Top at 20,630 feet. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR

"The unprecedented rescue mission was undertaken by Pakistan Army aviation helicopters under extreme weather conditions, making it the first ever rescue from such a height in Pakistan," the ISPR added.

Gukov had been stuck on Latok Top since July 25 and had exhausted his supplies three days ago. At least seven rescue attempts had been made between 26 to 30 July, but due to snow clouds, the climber could not be located and rescued, the ISPR said.

Later in the day, Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa visited the Russian mountaineer at Rawalpindi CMH and inquired about his health.

This is the second rescue mission undertaken by the army this month.

On July 1, two foreign mountaineers stuck in an avalanche at above 19,000 feet on Ultar Sar Peak near Hunza Valley were saved by Pak Army pilots. British climbers Bruce Normand and Miller Timothy were rescued alive, but Austrai's Christian Huber did not survive.

Opinion

Editorial

When medicine fails
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

When medicine fails

Between now and 2050, medical experts expect antibiotic resistance to kill 40m people worldwide.
Nawaz on India
Updated 18 Nov, 2024

Nawaz on India

Nawaz Sharif’s hopes of better ties with India can only be realised when New Delhi responds to Pakistan positively.
State of abuse
18 Nov, 2024

State of abuse

The state must accept that crimes against children have become endemic in the country.
Football elections
17 Nov, 2024

Football elections

PAKISTAN football enters the most crucial juncture of its ‘normalisation’ era next week, when an Extraordinary...
IMF’s concern
17 Nov, 2024

IMF’s concern

ON Friday, the IMF team wrapped up its weeklong unscheduled talks on the Fund’s ongoing $7bn programme with the...
‘Un-Islamic’ VPNs
Updated 17 Nov, 2024

‘Un-Islamic’ VPNs

If curbing pornography is really the country’s foremost concern while it stumbles from one crisis to the next, there must be better ways to do so.