Kyrgyz Defense Ministry preparing to evacuate injured Russian climber from Victory Peak

BISHKEK. Aug 19 (Interfax) - The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry is preparing to evacuate Russian climber Natalia Nagovitsyna, who has been stranded on Victory Peak 7,200 meters above sea level for seven days with a broken leg, ministry spokesman Almaz Sarbanov told Interfax on Tuesday.

"A drone found Natalia Nagovitsyna in a damaged tent at the 7,200-meter altitude. She is alive and has been in the mountains for seven days. Preparations are being made for her rescue and transportation," Sarbanov said.

The first attempt to rescue the Russian climber was made last Sunday, yet the aircraft carrying a rescue team was hit by turbulence and made a crash landing, he said.

"For now, the weather does not allow resuming the rescue effort. The heavy snowfall and zero visibility make it impossible to use military aircraft. Two planes of the ministry are ready to go to the incident scene," Sarbanov said.

The ministry press service also said that Nagovitsyna's partner gave her first aid and went to seek help on the day of incident, August 12. Two foreign climbers tried to evacuate her the next day on August 13, but failed. They wrapped her in a sleeping bag and left her as is.

According to the ministry, Russian climbing team captain Nikolai Totmyanin died in Bishkek on August 11 after climbing Victory Peak.

Russian citizen Alexei Yermakov died on the Khan-Tengri Peak 5,800 meters above sea level on August 16. Rescuers are carrying his body to the base camp for further evacuation by helicopter.