Two Russian citizens injured during a mountain hike in the Almaty Region were evacuated from an altitude of 3,510 meters. Due to bad weather, rescuers first had to reach them on foot, then use aviation, reports infohub.kz.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the incident occurred on August 5 in the Talgar district. A tourist group of eight people sought help at the high-mountain hydrological post "Toguzak" of the "Kazselzashchita" institution, located at an altitude of 3,510 meters. Two hikers required medical assistance.
A 25-year-old female tourist suffered a head injury from a rock strike. Her helmet saved her. A 32-year-old man fell and injured his arm.
Due to thick fog, prolonged precipitation, difficult high-mountain terrain, and flight altitude restrictions, it was not possible to promptly send a helicopter to the scene. "Therefore, rescuers from the Republican Operational Rescue Squad 'Barys' of the Ministry of Emergency Situations set out on foot through the Left Talgar gorge," the ministry reported.
By morning, the rescuers reached the hydrological post, examined the injured, and waited for weather improvement. Once the weather allowed aviation to take off, the tourists were evacuated by a Kazaviaspas helicopter to the Medeu site, where an ambulance team from the Ministry's Disaster Medicine Center was waiting.
The injured were taken to a medical facility for further examination and necessary assistance. The Ministry noted that thanks to the coordinated work of rescuers and the helicopter crew, the operation was successful. Currently, the lives and health of the foreign tourists are not in danger.