Avalanche in Russian Caucasus kills 11 climbers, search on for six
An avalanche in Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria region killed 11 climbers; rescue teams search for six missing amid hazardous conditions.
At least eleven climbers are dead after an avalanche swept through the Bezengi Gorge in Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria region on Sunday, according to the local emergency ministry. The snowslide struck a group of 33 mountaineers trekking in the North Caucasus area.
Ten members of the group managed to descend to safety on their own, while rescue teams evacuated six injured climbers from the site. The injured have been transported to Nalchik, the regional capital, for medical care. The fate of six other climbers remains unknown as search operations continue.
More than 50 personnel have been mobilised for the rescue effort, the emergency ministry said. Kantemir Berov, the ministry's chief press officer in the region, noted that operations are being hampered by difficult terrain and the ongoing threat of further avalanches.
Helicopters have been deployed to airlift the injured, with night-time footage showing ambulances waiting at landing zones to receive casualties. The gorge, a popular but challenging destination for high-altitude trekking, remains under close monitoring as rescue teams work through hazardous conditions.