Five Climbers Die After Storm Hits Mount Elbrus

A powerful storm during an ascent of Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, has claimed the lives of five climbers.

Russian authorities said rescue teams had recovered the bodies of two victims from an altitude of 5,350 meters. Before this operation, two other climbers had been rescued and taken for medical treatment.

The other three victims have been located, but severe weather and strong winds continuing in the area have made it impossible to evacuate their bodies.

Russian media reported that those who died were citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and were part of a seven-person expedition from the city of Zenica. The group included a married couple and a doctor from the local hospital.

Located in southern Russia, near the border with Georgia, Mount Elbrus rises to 5,642 meters. Sudden changes in weather conditions make climbing the mountain particularly dangerous.

As the search-and-rescue operation continues, authorities are waiting for weather conditions to improve so they can evacuate the bodies still on the mountain.