Two Climbers Die on Korumdu Peak; Third Member Still Missing

The identities of two climbers who died on Korumdu Peak have been confirmed, adding a tragic dimension to the mountaineering expedition.

Maxim Polyansky, a 43-year-old Belarusian citizen, and Sergei Rubtsov, a 37-year-old Lithuanian citizen, were part of a three-person group that successfully summited the challenging Korumdu Peak on August 2. Their bodies are currently at a morgue in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, and arrangements are being made for their repatriation.

However, the fate of the third member, 60-year-old Belarusian Nikolai Sviridov, remains unknown. He has not yet been found, and search operations are underway. The group was scheduled to descend to base camp on August 4 but failed to make contact, prompting an immediate search.

Adverse weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and poor visibility, have significantly complicated the search efforts. The delay in finding Sviridov is a growing concern as valuable time is lost in the harsh mountain environment.

Korumdu Peak, situated in the Chon-Alai Range on the border of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and China, is known for its extreme difficulty. It features narrow ridges, sharp rocky peaks, and glaciers. The first confirmed ascent was only made in 2001, highlighting the perilous nature of climbing this summit.