The complex rescue operation following the tragedy with Latvian climbers on Denali has concluded 0 10

In Alaska, the operation to evacuate the bodies of three Latvian climbers who died during their ascent of Denali — the highest peak in North America — has been completed.

According to the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all three deceased were brought down from the mountain on Thursday night, Latvian time. After the evacuation was completed, the remains were transported to the Anchorage Forensic Medical Center. After the necessary procedures are carried out, preparations will begin for their repatriation to Latvia.

The tragedy occurred in late May during the ascent of Denali. As a result of a fall in one of the most difficult sections of the route, Inese Pučeka, Viya Olte, and Renars Kunigs-Salaks lost their lives.

Another expedition member, Martins Bilzens, sustained serious injuries and was taken to an Anchorage hospital. It was later reported that his condition stabilized and there was no threat to his life. The other three members of the group were evacuated by rescuers. Two of them were diagnosed with frostbite.

According to the U.S. National Park Service, the accident occurred between the upper camp High Camp and Denali Pass at an altitude of about 5,545 meters. After the fall of four expedition members, the remaining three members of the group attempted to assist their companions and then returned to the upper camp on their own to report the incident to rescuers.

For the Latvian climbing community, this tragedy has become one of the most severe in recent decades. The particularly dramatic nature of the incident is compounded by the fact that all expedition participants had significant experience in high-altitude climbing. Many of them had previously summited seven-thousanders in the Pamirs and participated in complex international expeditions.

Denali is considered one of the harshest peaks in the world. Despite its height of 6,190 meters, the main dangers here are extreme cold, strong winds, and rapidly changing weather conditions.

During the expedition, the Latvian climbers were set to spend more than three weeks in high-altitude conditions, overcome nearly four kilometers of elevation gain, and traverse about one hundred kilometers of route with heavy equipment and food supplies.

Now the rescue operation is fully completed, and further actions will be related to the processing of documents and the return of the deceased to their homeland.