MOSCOW: At least 11 climbers were killed and six others injured after an avalanche struck a group of mountaineers in Russia’s North Caucasus region of Kabardino-Balkaria, local emergency authorities said.
The avalanche hit the group at around 5 p.m. on Mizhirgi Mountain, where 33 climbers were present, according to emergency officials.
By Monday morning, 10 climbers had managed to descend the mountain safely. However, authorities had not received any information about six others and continued searching for them.
More than 50 rescuers launched a search-and-rescue operation following the incident. The difficult mountainous terrain and the risk of further avalanches have hampered the operation.
Rescue teams are continuing to search for the missing climbers but are working with extreme caution because of dangerous weather and terrain conditions.
Mizhirgi is among the highest peaks in Russia’s North Caucasus. The avalanche suddenly swept down the mountain and engulfed the climbers.
