Global Courant 2023-05-23 05:30:00
KUALA LUMPUR – Only a Gore-Tex jacket with Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment has been found so far as rescuers continue to search the crevasses of Mount Everest for hearing-impaired Malaysian mountaineer Muhammad Hawari Hashim, who went missing on Friday.
They try to trace the cell phone of the 33-year-old who was reported missing during his descent after reaching the summit.
“We found his jacket with ‘Recco’ in camp 2,” said team manager Ayu Wanirah Naharuddin of Malaysia’s Mission Everest 2023 (ME2023).
Recco technology enables rescue personnel to locate the carrier.
Ms Ayu Wanirah said that an aerial SAR (search and rescue) was carried out yesterday but no traces of people were found in the climbing area or unusual paths.
“A land SAR is still being conducted above camp 2 in the crevasse area. Searching crevasses requires skilled personnel and we have deployed as many skilled personnel as possible in the area.
“Nepal police have also been asked to help track down Muhammad Hawari’s iPhone,” she told Bernama on Monday.
She added that a group of Sherpas will conduct inspections on Tuesday to find Mr. Hawari in every tent in camps 2, 3 and 4.
On Friday, 56-year-old director of the Malaysian Civil Defense Force Kedah, Lieutenant Colonel Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub, died after a fall while climbing to the top. Ms Ayu Wanirah said attempts were made to bring down his body.
“Six Sherpas will be in Camp Four tonight. Tomorrow morning the body will be taken to a safe place before being flown to Kathmandu.”
ME 2023, hosted by Kelab Eksplorasi Altitud, is led by 2016 Everest climber Azim Afif Ishak and began on April 2. The mission, supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, will end on June 2.
In Kota Kinabalu, the Sabah state government said it would help cover additional costs to bring Mr. Awang Askandar’s body to his hometown of Papar. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
