Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that the death toll from the avalanche on Mount Mishirgi in the Bezengi Valley of Kabardino-Balkaria in southern Russia has risen to at least 11. Six climbers remain missing and are being searched for.
Officials said 10 climbers managed to descend from the site on their own. Another 6 were injured and taken to hospital for treatment, while the 11 deceased suffered injuries too severe to survive.
The climbing group consisted of 33 members. At the time of the incident, 15 climbers were on a mountain route when the avalanche occurred around 17:00 on 6 September. Initial reports indicated 2 deaths, but the number increased as officials conducted search and rescue operations.
After the incident, rescue teams from the Elbrus high-mountain search and rescue unit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, along with local emergency operation teams from Kabardino-Balkaria, were dispatched to conduct search and rescue efforts.
The search operation faced difficulties due to steep mountainous terrain and the risk of further avalanches. Authorities reinforced rescue personnel to about 56 to expedite the search for the missing climbers.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that, weather permitting, Mi-8 helicopters and commercial helicopters would be deployed to assist in the aerial search for the missing.
Kazbek Kokov, leader of Kabardino-Balkaria, said the search and rescue continues in the upper Bezengi Valley. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Meanwhile, Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal negligence investigation to determine the causes and examine whether safety protocols were neglected during the incident. The Kabardino-Balkaria prosecutor's office is overseeing the fact-finding and cause-of-death investigations for the climbers.
Authorities continue to search for the six missing climbers, with no further details released regarding their status.