May 23, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – Only a Gore-Tex jacket with GPS equipment has been found so far as rescuers continue searching the crevasses in Mt Everest for hearing-impaired Malaysian mountaineer Muhammad Hawari Hashim, who went missing on Friday.
They are also trying to trace the mobile phone of the 33-year-old who was reported missing while making his descent after reaching the summit.
“We have found his jacket containing ‘RECCO’ at Camp 2,” said Ayu Wanirah Naharuddin, Malaysian Mission Everest 2023 (ME2023) team manager.
RECCO Technology allows rescue personnel to find the wearer.
Ayu Wanirah said an aerial SAR (search and rescue) was carried out yesterday but no traces of humans were found in the climbing area or unusual trails.
“A land SAR in the crevasse area continues to be conducted above Camp 2. Searching in crevasses requires skilled personnel and we have deployed as many skilled personnel as possible in the surrounding area.
“The Nepal police have also been asked to help trace Muhammad Hawari’s iPhone,” she told Bernama yesterday.
She said a group of Sherpas will conduct inspections to find Muhammad Hawari in every tent in Camp 2, 3 and 4 today.
On Friday, Muhammad Hawari, a participant of the ME2023 mission, was reported missing while descending from Camp 4. On the same day, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Kedah director Lt Col Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub, 56, died after falling while climbing to the peak.
Ayu Wanirah said efforts to bring down Awang Askandar’s remains were being carried out.
“Six Sherpas will be at Camp 4 by this evening. Tomorrow morning, the body will be brought down to a safe area before it is flown to Kathmandu.”
ME 2023, organised by Kelab Eksplorasi Altitud, is led by 2016 Everest climber Azim Afif Ishak and began on April 2. The mission, backed by the Youth and Sports Ministry, is due to end on June 2.
In KOTA KINABALU, the Sabah government said it would assist in covering additional costs to bring Awang Askandar’s body to his hometown of Papar.