14:40, 15 марта 2022, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Gulmira Makanbai kyzy
To protect mountain climbers coming to Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan (MES) will create a rescue team and buy a helicopter. Boobek Azhibekov, head of the ministry, told.
Kyrgyz nature attracts many mountain hikers and climbers, the minister said.
«Mountain tourism and mountain climbing are costly, so we can say that every mountain climber is far from poor. To protect such tourists, we decided to create an Edelweiss rescue team. We are going to purchase a helicopter as part of this work. The base will be located in Ala-Archa. According to international standards, mountain hikers and climbers will get international insurance. A mountain climber, being a fan of adrenaline and high-risk sport, will be sure of timely medical assistance. For example, after a rescue team is set up, if he or she falls ill, they will be transported within two hours to the best hospital in the city or even out of the country,» Boobek Azhibekov said.
Creation of the rescue team will boost the popularity of the Kyrgyz mountains and increase the number of tourists, he said. At the same time, he stressed that Turkey is helping in the implementation of this work.
«We talked to the Turkish side during the last year’s trip. With their help, we create both the Edelweiss rescue team and INSARAG international rescue team. They will consist of the same guys, just in an expanded form,» the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations told.
He noted that the project would be launched by the end of this year.