In Tuva, a 13-day Search is on for a Woman Lost in the Taiga

Today, rescuers are searching again the area Sukhoy Log in the Tandy kozhuun of Tuva, where a 69-year-old woman from the village Vladimirovka, Yelena Syurkova, disappeared on June 6. The woman went with her friends to pick berries, but never returned from the taiga. At first, only her relatives started a search, but later local people got involved, then rescue workers and the militia.

The search is being performed by foot and on horses, by groups of locals, militia and forestry workers. On June 11, Tuvan search-and-rescue team professionals became involved.

The place Sukhoy Log is located 5 km from Vladimirovka, there are mountains on one side, and a steep slope, leading to the village. On one hand, the woman has bad legs and can’t climb up slopes. So far, the search has not been successful. The rescuers are concerned, because bear footprints have been found in the area. But hope that Yelena Syurkova will be found alive still remains. Despite the cool temperatures and rain, the chances of survival in the taiga at this time of the year are excellent.

In 2003, in September, after almost a month of search, a woman mushroom-picker who disappeared was found alive and unharmed.