Iranian mountaineer Gozali goes missing after winter Makalu summit

TEHRAN – An Iranian mountaineer, Abolfazl Gozali, who had conquered Makalu, has gone missing on the way back.

Four people reportedly reached the summit of Makalu on January 15 between 8:30 am and 10:30 am: expedition leader Sanu Sherpa, his younger brother Phurba Ongel Sherpa, Lakpa Rinji Sherpa, and client Abolfazl Gozali of Iran.

Hamid Masoudian, supervisor of the Search and Rescue Committee of the Iran’s Federation of Mountaineering, said Makalu is the third hardest eight-thousand-meter peak. On the way down, one of the Sherpas falls, and several others go to assist him. Gozali proceeds downhill alone, and no one sees him again.

“Rescue teams were in the area, but, unfortunately, they did not find him. Usually, when someone goes missing, the supporting companies and the team members must stay in the area for a week. Yesterday marked seven full days, and they are on their way back, but he has not been found,” Masoudian added.