An avalanche has killed at least 11 people from a group of 33 climbers in the Bezhengi Gorge, in Russia’s Caucasus region, the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry announced.
The incident occurred on Sunday in the Kabardino-Balkaria region, where the climbers were caught off guard by the mass of snow. Six people were injured, while another six remain missing.
Të lidhura
None found
Ten members of the group managed to leave the area safely after the avalanche struck, according to Russian authorities.
Videos shared on social media show a massive amount of snow moving rapidly through the gorge and engulfing the entire area.
Search-and-rescue teams continue working in the field to locate the missing people. The Emergency Situations Ministry said that 56 rescue teams are involved in the operation.
The Bezhengi Gorge lies in the Central Caucasus and is surrounded by some of the region’s highest peaks, ranging from 4,000 to 5,200 meters above sea level.
The area is also known for the impressive Bezhengi Glacier and is considered one of the Caucasus’ leading destinations for climbers.
