In a remarkable rescue operation, three elite French soldiers from the High Mountain Military Group (GMHM) saved two climbers, British national Fay Manners and American Michelle Dvorak, who were stranded at an altitude of 6,000 meters in the Himalayas. The incident occurred on October 3, when a rockfall severed their rope and caused them to lose all their climbing equipment, leaving them without tents or provisions. After sending an SOS message, the two women faced dire conditions for two days before the French soldiers arrived to assist them.
The soldiers, who were on a separate climbing mission at the time, spotted the stranded climbers and initiated communication through light signals. Despite the harsh weather conditions, they managed to reach the women, who were sharing a single sleeping bag to keep warm. After ensuring their safety, the soldiers escorted them back to their camp, where they spent the night before coordinating with the Indian Air Force for their evacuation. The IAF successfully airlifted the climbers to safety the following day, highlighting the effective collaboration between the two military forces during this critical operation.
The soldiers involved in the rescue—Lieutenant-Colonel Jacques-Olivier, Sergeant Vivien, and Chasseur Clovis—are part of a specialized unit dedicated to extreme mountain expeditions. Their skills and quick response undoubtedly played a crucial role in the successful outcome of this rescue mission.
