SUSPICIOUS DEATH
CASE #: 1993-40
Viktoriya Zalesova
Status:
Open
Date of Death:
Date of Death:
Death Location:
Khamar-Daban mountain range, Buryatia, Russia
Summary:
On 5 August 1993, six Kazakhstani hikers died in the Khamar-Daban mountain range under uncertain circumstances. Viktoriya Zalesova, 16, was one of seven hikers led by experienced instructor Lyudmila Korovina. According to an autopsy report, all of the victims died of hypothermia, except Korovina, who died from a heart attack.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Death:
The story begins on August 2, 1993, in the Khamar Daban mountains of southern Siberia. A group of students visiting from Petropavl in Kazakhstan planned to hike from the shores of Lake Baikal and summit Kang-Ula. They began their hike on August 2, 1993, but on August 4, they were caught in an unexpected rainstorm while descending from Retranslyator peak. After setting up camp in an exposed area during the storm, the group struggled to stay warm and dry. On August 5, they managed to start a fire and have breakfast before continuing their descent. According to the testimony of the sole survivor, Valentina Utochenko, the fatalities unfolded rapidly on August 5, 1993, around 11:00 a.m. during the group's descent from a ridge in the Khamar-Daban range after reaching their objective. The first to collapse was Aleksander Kyrsin, who exhibited sudden symptoms including frothing at the mouth and bleeding from the ears, leading to his death shortly thereafter. Viktoriya Zalesova and Timur Bapanov separated from the group and also perished, with Utochenko reporting no pulse upon later checking.
Additional Details:
Despite the police receiving a report, no formal search was carried out until 24 August. It took two days for helicopters to locate the remains, because Utochenko had not yet been able to recount her version of what had happened. After realizing the others were not moving, she descended alone toward trees, changed into drier clothing, and spent the night in her sleeping bag under cover. In the morning, she went back uphill and saw the group still scattered where they had fallen. The bodies were on an open slope roughly 200 to 250 meters below the ridge line, with the victims lying separated, with Krysin and Korovina closest together and others farther downslope. The event has been likened to the Dyatlov Pass incident, earning it the name "Buryatia's Dyatlov Pass". The sole survivor has remained silent since her initial police statement in 1993, adding another layer of mystery to the tragic event.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Official search begins; helicopters locate remains
Kayakers notice something strange at the base of the mountain
Group begins descent after breakfast; Aleksander Krysin collapses first with severe symptoms; other hikers collapse rapidly; Viktoriya Zalesova dies on the mountain
Unexpected rainstorm strikes the group while descending; they set up camp in exposed area
Hiking group departs from Petropavl, Kazakhstan and begins trek into Khamar-Daban mountains
Associated Persons
Natalia K. (Other hiking group leader) - Living
Denis S. (Hiking group member) - Deceased
Valentina U. (Sole survivor) - Living
Aleksander K. (Hiking group member) - Deceased
Tatyana F. (Hiking group member) - Deceased
Timur B. (Hiking group member) - Deceased
Lyudmila K. (Hiking instructor / Group leader) - Deceased
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