Search for missing mountaineer Yüksel Işık enters third day in Cilo Sat Mountains

Rescue operations are underway for Yüksel Işık, a mountaineer who went missing in Turkey's Cilo Sat Mountains on July 13. Işık and a companion had embarked on a climb of the 4,135-meter Süppa Dürek Peak, a challenging ascent that includes the Cennet Cehennem Valley.

During the climb, Işık's partner decided to turn back at a certain point, while Işık continued alone towards the summit. When Işık failed to make contact, authorities were alerted, initiating a large-scale search and rescue effort. Teams from AFAD, the National Medical Rescue Team (UMKE), Jandarma Search and Rescue (JAK), and the Hakkari Municipality fire department are involved.

Despite treacherous terrain and harsh weather conditions at altitudes exceeding 4,000 meters, the teams are meticulously searching the routes around Süppa Dürek Peak and the Cennet Cehennem Valley. Unmanned aerial vehicles and drones are being utilized to cover a wide area, with support from Van AFAD teams.

Hakkari Governor İbrahim Taşyapan visited the base camp to observe the operations and receive updates. Yüksel Işık's father-in-law, local mountaineer Ramazan Akbaş, expressed confidence in the rescue teams and hope for Işık's safe return. Professional mountaineering teams from Bursa, Erzurum, and Diyarbakır are also expected to join the search efforts.

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We trust the teams' efforts and maintain our hopes for Işık's safe return.