French Citizens Involved in Search Operation Engaged by Ministry of Defense Helicopter

As reported earlier, the emergency service received a call regarding five climbers (French citizens) who ascended a mountain adjacent to a hotel in the Aghveran resort area of Kotayk province. Under still unclear circumstances, one of the climbers was buried under a snow mass. His companions quickly managed to rescue him from the snowdrift; however, the injured citizen lost consciousness, necessitating the intervention of rescuers.

According to photojournalist Gagik Shamshyan on the scene, rescuers trekked over 7 km on foot through a difficult-to-navigate area where the snow depth reached up to 2.5-3 meters. As a result of the search operations, rescuers found the lost individuals. According to the report from the lost climbers, one of them is deceased, although confirmation is pending.

According to Shamshyan.com, under the initiative of the Minister of Emergency Situations Felix Tsolakyan, a helicopter from the RA Ministry of Defense has joined the search efforts. The helicopter has already located both the rescuers and the lost individuals at the scene and is now trying to find a suitable position to approach them. Afterward, the lost climbers will be transported to safety by helicopter, while the rescuers will need to walk the same 7-km route back to join the team. Personnel from the General Department of Police Protection, led by the head of the Hrazdan Protection Division, Arsen Sargsyan, are also present at the site. The photojournalist reports that the severe frost is also hindering the work of the rescuers.