What's happened
The search for three climbers, two Americans and one Canadian, missing on New Zealand's Aoraki/Mount Cook has been suspended. Authorities believe they have died after evidence suggested a fall. The climbers were last seen on Saturday and reported missing on Monday, with search efforts hampered by severe weather conditions.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, Commander Inspector Vicki Walker stated, "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." The Guardian echoed this sentiment, noting that the search was suspended based on evidence suggesting the climbers likely fell. Meanwhile, The Independent highlighted the climbers' backgrounds, emphasizing their qualifications as certified alpine guides, which adds a layer of tragedy to the incident. The South China Morning Post reported that the search would only resume if new evidence emerged, indicating the finality of the current situation.
How we got here
Kurt Blair, 56, and Carlos Romero, 50, both experienced alpine guides, along with an unnamed Canadian climber, flew to Aoraki/Mount Cook on Saturday. They were reported missing on Monday after failing to meet their scheduled transport following their ascent.
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