A MOUNTAINEER from the Basque Country who crashed his helicopter in the wilds of Tajikistan at an altitude of 7,500 metres has been found – alive.
But five of the 18 people flying with him have died, according to Tajik authorities.
Roberto Rodrigo, from Barakaldo (Vizcaya province, of which the capital is Bilbao) has been taken to hospital after the air crash in the Pamir mountains
The Barakaldo Mountaineering Tourism Club member had been taking a group of climbers to the Ismail Samani peak in the former Soviet nation, one of the highest in the world at 7,495 metres above sea-level, in his Mi-8 when it plunged out of the sky at 14.30 local time on Sunday (11.30 mainland Spain time).
Poor weather conditions are thought to be the cause – and also the reason for the rescue operation not being able to start for nearly 24 hours after the accident.
According to Russian news agency RIA Nóvosti, after speaking to the emergency response centre at Tajikistan's Lajsh airport, those who perished are three Russian mountaineers and two cabin crew who are Tajik citizens.
As at this morning (Tuesday), 12 of the 13 survivors had been rescued and taken to hospital.
The Spanish Diplomatic Information Office (OID) confirms it is in close contact with the emergency workers on site.
Photograph of Ismail Samani peak by GFDL/Wikimedia Commons
