Informe de Operación de Rescate en el Monte Huascarán, Perú

Update 2025/6/28 8:20 　 Peru time (UTC-5).

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 Around 07:25 (Peru time) on June 28, the body of Chiaki Inada was brought down to the base by the rescue team.

With this, both climbers have now been fully evacuated from the mountain. Going forward, arrangements will shift to their respective repatriation procedures. Accordingly, with this report of the completed evacuation, our organization’s Rescue Coordination Headquarters will conclude its role.

Since the initial distress signal, we have received swift and invaluable support from many, including the Embassy of Japan in Peru, local mountain rescue teams, and Japanese guides living in the area. We believe that, given the conditions, this rescue was the very best that could have been achieved. On behalf of the families of the climbers, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who worked tirelessly, day and night, over many days.

This was, in essence, a private adventure undertaken by Inada and Terada. We understand they conducted a reconnaissance visit a year earlier, carefully planned and trained based on their extensive climbing experience and skills, and approached this challenge with thorough preparation. Yet before nature, anyone can be rendered powerless. We are once again confronted with that universal truth.

At the same time, the determination of climbers who still choose to face such harsh mountains carries a profoundly philosophical question: “Why do we live?”

We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who supported this mission. Thank you very much.

To Chippe:

Your tireless curiosity, drive, and passion in pursuit of a “better world of mountain medicine” are goals we will surely carry forward and realize.

We also offer our deepest respect for your climbing spirit. Please rest peacefully now. R.I.P.

Head of the Rescue Coordination Headquarters
President, WMA Japan
Isamu Yokobori

In the Cordillera Blanca of Peru, on Mount Huascarán (6,768 m), our organization’s medical advisor, Ms. Chiaki Inada (40), and her climbing partner, Ms. Saki Terada (35), have gone missing.

Currently, rescue operations are underway with the cooperation of local authorities and other relevant parties.

We sincerely apologize for the concern and trouble caused to so many people. Below is a record of the response so far.

June 24, 2025

(Japan) 15:30 → (Peru) 01:30

Around 01:30 on June 24 (Peru time)

• Ms. Chiaki Inada became incapacitated due to suspected hypothermia. An SOS was sent via the Garmin satellite communication system, notifying a local private rescue agency in Peru. (The actual distress incident appears to have occurred about 4 hours earlier, around 21:30 on June 23 local time.)
• The private rescue agency contacted WMAJ, and a fact-checking process began.

(Japan) 18:00 → (Peru) 04:00

Around 04:00

• A crisis response headquarters was established, and negotiations with various parties began:
  
• • Requesting rescue from local private rescue agencies
  • Requesting rescue from local police authorities
  • Requesting support through the Embassy of Japan in Peru

(Japan) 21:30 → (Peru) 07:30

Around 07:30

• Online meeting with Japanese and Peruvian stakeholders
  
• • Confirmation that Inada and Terada were alive
  • Text communication with Japan was possible until around 00:00 (Japan time); the climbers were waiting at the distress site, unable to move.
  • Confirmation of rescue arrangements
  • Note: The distress site is near 6,600 m, just below the summit. No helicopters in Peru can fly to that altitude, so the rescue team would fly by helicopter to the Huascarán refuge and then approach on foot. The plan was to lower them to the refuge overland and then evacuate by helicopter.
  • Coordination with local police secured through the Embassy of Japan in Peru

June 25, 2025

(Japan) 06:00 → (Peru) 16:00 (June 24)

Around 16:00 on June 24 (Peru time)

• Start of joint rescue operation by local police and private teams. Nine members divided into three helicopter flights to the Huascarán refuge.
• After arrival at the refuge, they began the approach on foot.
• Meanwhile, additional teams were dispatched thanks to efforts by the Japanese Embassy and local stakeholders.
• Rescue teams consisted of over 10 local mountain guides, split into several groups.

(Japan) 21:30 → (Peru) 07:30 (June 25)

Around 07:30 on June 25

• Report received that staff at a lodge at the foot of the mountain were able to talk with Inada and Terada by phone.
• Although responses were not always clear, their voices were confirmed.

June 26, 2025

(Japan) 02:00 → (Peru) 12:00 (June 25)

Around 12:00 on June 25

• Approached the SOS-confirmed location but encountered large crevasses making access difficult. Continued searching for a safe route.

(Japan) 05:00 → (Peru) 15:00 (June 25)

Around 15:00 on June 25

• Rescue team reached the two climbers. Report indicated Ms. Terada was conscious, while Ms. Inada was unconscious and in critical condition.
• The team worked through the night, administering first aid and planning evacuation methods.

(Japan) 08:00 → (Peru) 18:00 (June 25)

Around 18:00 on June 25

• Worsening local weather made rescue operations extremely difficult. Simultaneous evacuation of both climbers became impossible.
• The local rescue team and other authorities determined that Ms. Chiaki Inada had died at the scene.
• Because safety could no longer be ensured, they recorded the location by GPS and temporarily laid her to rest at the site.
• The team focused all efforts on evacuating Ms. Saki Terada.

(Japan) 23:00 → (Peru) 09:00 (June 26)

Around 09:00 on June 26

• Ms. Saki Terada was reported walking at around 5,100 m elevation (pickup point at ~4,500 m).
• The required helicopter had already been arranged and was on standby with a local doctor.
• Plan was to transport her to a hospital at the foot of the mountain after reaching the pickup point.

June 27, 2025

(Japan) 03:45 → (Peru) 13:45 (June 26)

Around 13:45 on June 26

• Ms. Terada safely reached a mountain hut at the helicopter pickup point.
• Became unable to walk on her own partway, but was carried by the rescue team. She remained fully conscious.
• Final coordination of landing sites continued; helicopter launch planned as soon as weather and flight permissions allowed.

(Japan) 04:30 → (Peru) 14:30 (June 26)

Around 14:30 on June 26

• Thanks to the rapid coordination of the rescue team, Ms. Terada was safely admitted to a hospital at the foot of the mountain.
  (For privacy and safe treatment, the hospital name is not disclosed.)
• Planning began for recovery of Ms. Inada’s body.

(Japan) 12:00 → (Peru) 22:00 (June 26)

Around 22:00 on June 26

• A team of local mountain police and guides departed to recover the body of Ms. Chiaki Inada, who had been temporarily laid to rest in the mountains.

(Japan) 23:00 → (Peru) 09:00 (June 27)

Around 09:00 on June 27

• The team made contact again with Ms. Inada’s remains, and planned to begin descending toward the helicopter pickup point once preparations were complete.

June 28, 2025

(Japan) 10:20 → (Peru) 20:20 (June 27)

At 20:20 on June 27 (Peru time)

• Ms. Inada’s body arrived at the mountain hut at the helicopter pickup point, under the care of the local rescue team.
• Final helicopter transport to the foot of the mountain was planned once weather and team conditions allowed.

Around 07:25 (Peru time) on June 28:

 Chiaki Inada’s body was transported to the base by the local rescue team, completing the descent. With this, the evacuation of both climbers has been concluded.

• The Rescue Coordination Headquarters will now conclude its operations. Going forward, we will continue to provide individual support for each member.

 

Please note that we can only respond to inquiries from members of the press.
For all inquiries, please use the designated contact form below.

To ensure that headquarters operations can continue without delay, we are unable to respond to inquiries by phone.
We kindly ask for your understanding.

We also respectfully request that you refrain from making direct contact with the families, considering their situation.

 

 

Coordination Headquarters
WMA Japan