KATHMANDU, Nov 4: Police have located the spot where the missing Slovakian mountaineer Onrej Husarke, 34, fell following an ascent of Langtang mountain from the eastern side. His condition remains unclear after going missing for five days. However, his expedition partner as well as the Slovakian Mountaineering Association has presumed him dead.
According to the District Police Office (DPO), Rasuwa, Husarke has been located in a crevasse around 50 meters deep on the mountain. As per his expedition partner Marek Holecek, 50, from the Czech Republic, Husarke hit a slanted slope after an eight-meter drop, following which he tumbled down into the crevasse.
Although it has nearly been a week since the mishap that led to his fall and it seems unlikely that he survived the frigid conditions, police have not pronounced him dead. Chief of the DPO, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Keshab Bhattarai informed Republica that the condition of the climber remains unclear and he can be declared dead only after he is found dead after an aerial rescue mission is carried out
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“We could not carry out his rescue on Monday due to adverse weather conditions that prevented helicopter access,” he said, “And we cannot declare him dead until the aerial operation can confirm his death after lifting him from the spot.”
It is difficult to rescue Husarke from the crevasse which is located more than 7000 meters above sea level in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-3. A team which had gone for aerial rescue discovered his clothes, sleeping bag, and other belongings. He was eventually located during the search operation in the same area.
However, DSP Bhattarai said that he could be rescued only by an expert team as he was trapped in a deep crevasse. Bhattarai said that as soon as the weather improves, preparations will be carried out to deploy a team of experts for the rescue operation.
Husarke’s Czechian expedition partner Holecek, who had also gone missing, came into contact with the police himself. Another German citizen, Roward George Newvar, 43, was rescued by the team. Both of them are receiving treatment in Kathmandu.
