DUSHANBE, 13.08.2018 /NIAT “Khovar”/. On August 12, at about 16-30 local time, a MI-8 helicopter with 13 alpinists and three crew members on board made a hard landing in the eastern part of Tajikistan.

According to the press secretary of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan Umed Yusufi, helicopter made a hard landing when returning to the base of alpinists in the lower reaches of the Fortambek glacier.

“In order to find out the reasons and all circumstances of the incident, a Government Commission was established from among the leadership of the CESCD, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Committee for National Security, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population and other departments of the country. It was decided to send two helicopters to the scene with rescuers and medical workers”, — Umeda Yusufi said.

According to her, currently it is not yet known which country’s citizens are alpinists. The incident occurred at a time when alpinists after the conquest of the peak of Ismoili Somoni returned to the base. The peak of Ismoili Somoni is the highest mountain peak on the territory of the former Soviet Union, the height of which is 7495 meters.

The search and rescue process is under the control of the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.

Details will be published later.