Youth stranded on steep cliffs in Erzurum rescued in a two-hour AFAD operation

In an incident that occurred in the Uzundere district of Erzurum, a 20-year-old youth became stranded in a steep rocky area. Ömer Kaygusuz, born in 2006 and registered in the Manasa population registry, became unable to descend after climbing the cliffs in Çaybaşı Mahallesi. The youth tried to leave the area on his own for hours. However, he was left helpless due to adverse weather conditions and increasing fatigue, and requested help. He then contacted the 112 Emergency Call Center to report his situation.

Teams dispatched to the scene included AFAD, police, and personnel from the Uzundere İlçe İtfaiye Amirliği. Firefighting teams conducted a meticulous search of the area and identified the spot where the youth was stranded. Subsequently, AFAD's mountain search and rescue team arrived in the region and launched the challenging operation. The teams used their safety equipment to carry out a careful descent and rescue procedure in the rocky terrain. After approximately two hours of continuous and challenging work, the youth was safely brought down from his location.

The local community also made a significant contribution to the success of the rescue operation. Halil Demirer, the Muhtar of Çaybaşı Mahallesi, guided the teams because he knew the geographical structure of the area well. The Muhtar showed the rescue teams alternative and safer routes to access the area, helping to speed up the operation. The teams' evaluation of these suggestions saved time in difficult terrain conditions. This local support contributed to the swift conclusion of the search and rescue efforts.

Ömer Kaygusuz, who was brought down from the spot where he was stranded, was first dispatched to Uzundere Devlet Hastanesi for a health check. It was stated that the youth's general health condition was evaluated by medical teams upon his arrival at the hospital. After prolonged fatigue and exposure to cold weather, it was checked whether he had any life-threatening conditions. It was learned that following initial interventions and examinations at the hospital, the youth's condition was stabilized. Authorities informed that the youth is in good health and his condition is well.

After being rescued, the youth, whose statement was taken, explained how he arrived in the area and why he climbed the cliffs. In his initial statements, he stated that he arrived in this area by a bus departing from Artvin and went for a walk. Kaygusuz noted that while wandering, he climbed up the steep cliff because it caught his attention, but later could not get back down. Following the terrifying moments he experienced, the youth expressed his gratitude to the teams and the personnel who did not leave him alone. The incident ended with a happy ending thanks to the successful intervention of expert teams before it could turn into a potential disaster.