Victoria Bonya procured a helicopter for Nagovitsina and reinstated the search and rescue operation.
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, TV host Victoria Bonya has taken the lead in organising a private rescue operation for mountaineer Natalia Nagovitsynaya, who sustained a leg fracture on August 12 while descending from the Peak of Victory (7439 m).
After the initial rescue operation was suspended by authorities, Bonya's persistence and a public campaign on social media have led to Kyrgyz authorities agreeing to resume the international operation.
On September 2, a helicopter with an international drone was dispatched to the Peak of Victory to assess Nagovitsynaya's condition. However, the MCHS drone, equipped with a thermal camera, did not detect any signs of life. Undeterred, Bonya sourced a suitable helicopter for the operation and announced its resumption on her Telegram channel.
Bonya's drone operator will fly tomorrow to check on Nagovitsynaya's condition. In a bid to ensure the operation's success, Bonya has also promised to pay Ruslan, the person who rented the helicopter for the operation, the money promised for the rental.
However, Bonya's attempt to transfer 1.2 million rubles for the rental of the helicopter was declined. Her accountant sent a screenshot saying the payment was canceled. Despite this setback, Bonya remains undeterred and is ready to personally transfer $10,000 to help facilitate the removal of Nagovitsynaya's body from the mountain.
In a move to ensure the accuracy of the international drone operation, Bonya has questioned the accuracy of the MCHS drone due to the large distance of the shoot. In response, the post on Bonya's Telegram channel about the drone operation has been removed.
Throughout this ordeal, Bonya has expressed her pride in belonging to a community that is ready to give their lives in the name of mountaineering ethics. Her son has also pleaded with authorities to continue the rescue efforts.
As the rescue operation continues, the mountaineering community and the public are hopeful that Nagovitsynaya will be safely rescued, thanks to the relentless efforts of Victoria Bonya.
