A 30-year-old Kyrgyz, Medet Zheenaliev, died after rescuing teenagers from drowning.

Axar.az informs that the tragedy occurred on May 12, 2026, at Lake Issyk-Kul in the popular tourist village of Baktuu-Dolonotu, Kyrgyzstan.

He was spending time with friends when he noticed several underage girls struggling in the water.

According to the press service of the Issyk-Kul Regional Internal Affairs Department, four girls were swimming in the lake when one of them began to drown due to strong waves. Zheenaliev, along with a friend, immediately jumped into the water to help. The girls were brought safely to shore, but he disappeared underwater.

Divers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations recovered his body the following day, May 13. Officials confirmed the cause of death as drowning during a rescue attempt.