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New Zealand authorities issued an update Friday regarding the three mountain climbers who went missing after attempting to traverse Aoraki Mount Cook.
The men – who were identified as 50-year-old Carlos “Kique” Romero of Livermore, 56-year-old Kurt Blair and an unnamed Canadian national – are believed to have taken a fall, according to a statement from Aoraki Police Cmdr. Vicki Walker.
“After reviewing the number of days the climbers have been missing, no communication, the items we have retrieved, and our reconnaissance today, we do not believe the men have survived,” Walker said.
She added that authorities have formally advised the coroner of their belief that the climbers did not survive a fall.
The search resumed Friday after being hindered for several days due to extreme weather. When the search was first launched on Monday, some climbing related items were found that were believed to belong to the three men. Additional items were located during Friday’s search.
“Today, the helicopter crew discovered further climbing-related items on the mountain,” Walker said. “They found a top and energy gels. Earlier this week we located a jacket and an ice axe. All of these objects were retrieved by a crew operating from the helicopter. While we cannot confirm that the objects belong to the men, we believe they do.”
In addition to the items found, there was other evidence of the climbers’ presence.
“Based on the footage from the drone, we can see evidence of where the climbers had begun to traverse the slopes beneath Zurbriggen Ridge. This evidence includes footprints and the items we have retrieved,” Walker said.
Walker noted that authorities have spoken to all of the families. “This is certainly not the news we wanted to share today,” she said.
“Police is now following a process to formally suspend our active search,” Walker said. However, we remain poised to reactivate our search if we receive fresh information or credible reports of sightings – especially from the climbing community.”
She added, “In terms of any recovery operation, its feasibility will be carefully considered and managed.”
“I know that finding the men will be what the family wants and deserves,” she added.
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