Search Halted for Researcher Missing After Fall into Alaska Glacier Moulin

An Italian researcher conducting studies on Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier is missing after being swept into a vertical ice shaft by a stream of meltwater. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon, with officials confirming Wednesday that search efforts have been deemed too dangerous to continue at this time.

The unidentified man was on the Mendenhall Glacier when he fell into a stream, which then propelled him into a ‘moulin’ – a two-foot-wide vertical shaft in the ice where meltwater funnels downwards, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. His companions reported losing sight of him after he entered the opening.

Juneau Mountain Rescue responded to the report, but after assessment, it was determined that attempting to locate the man in the water-filled moulin posed an extreme risk to rescuers. Efforts are on hold pending any new leads or information.

This incident follows a separate tragedy earlier in the week, where 69-year-old Thomas Casey of Arizona was found dead near the Mendenhall Glacier on Monday. Casey, who had been reported overdue, sustained injuries consistent with a fall while hiking in the area, not on the glacier itself.

The Mendenhall Glacier, located approximately 10 miles northwest of Juneau, is part of the vast Juneau Ice Field, a significant geological feature dating back to the last ice age.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.