Two South Korean mountaineers rescued in Ladakh, one dies

JAMMU: Army troops rescued two critically ill South Korean mountaineers from a peak in the Union territory of Ladakh, the Army said Friday. One of the climbers, however, passed away during treatment.

During an expedition, the mountaineers fell seriously ill near Kongmarula, an isolated peak of Ladakh, on Thursday, Army’s Fire and Fury Corps stated in an X post.

Indian Army Humanitarian Assistance: Ladakh

On 04 Sep 2025, during a mountaineering expedition, two South Korean nationals fell critically ill near Kongmarula, an isolated peak of Ladakh.

Army Aviation helicopters of Fire & Fury Corps executed a night Casualty Evacuation from… pic.twitter.com/10tJSvsia7

— @firefurycorps_IA (@firefurycorps) September 5, 2025

Army aviation helicopters executed a night casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) from an unprepared site at an altitude of 17,000ft, and airlifted the mountaineers to SNM Hospital, Leh, for treatment, it added.

CASEVAC refers to the rapid transportation of critically ill/injured individuals from a combat/dangerous/threatening situation to a medical facility for treatment by the military.

“Fire and Fury Corps expresses heartfelt condolences to the family of one of the mountaineers who unfortunately lost his life,” the post stated.