THE search and rescue (SAR) mission for missing Malaysia Everest 2023 (ME2023) climber Muhammad Hawari Hashim, 33, continues today with high hope.
Mission head Azim Afif Ishak, 35, said he believed that Muhammad Hawari had sufficient food to survive and was equipped with a full suit which could withstand the weather of almost -60 degrees Celsius.
“We believe that he might have found a place to seek shelter,” he told Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow via Google Meet from Everest Base Camp (EBC) at about 3.50pm (Nepal time) today.
Azim prayed for a successful SAR mission before May 28.
“This is because Everest will be officially close on May 29, ending the season this year.
“The ladders and ropes at the Khumbu Icefall will be dismantled in the morning of May 29.
“After May 28, we are left with two options.
“The first option is to wait until the next season, which is next year, and with good weather to continue the SAR mission.
“And secondly, is to (possibly) apply for a special permit. However, we can probably only observe from the sky (using a helicopter) as there will be no sherpa (mountain guide) at EBC.
“Everest will be officially close on May 29,” he stressed.
With Azim were national mountaineer Tiong Ling Yang, 30, and ME2023 team manager, Ayu Wanirah Naharuddin, 30.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the Penang government would follow the progress of the SAR operation closely.
“We feel the danger and understand the difficulty faced by our Malaysian hikers and volunteers who are doing their best to locate and bring home our dear Hawari.
“Please stay strong and safe. We will do our best here,” he told Azim and his team.
MORE TO COME