At Least 11 Climbers Killed in North Caucasus Avalanche

At least 11 people have died and six others were injured after an avalanche struck a group of mountaineers on Mount Mizhirgi in Russia's North Caucasus region. The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, impacting a climbing party consisting of 33 individuals on one of the country's tallest peaks, located in the Kabardino-Balkaria region.

Search and Rescue Efforts Underway

According to local emergency services, 10 members of the group managed to descend the mountain unassisted by Monday morning. However, six climbers remain unaccounted for as search operations continue. More than 50 emergency personnel have been deployed to the area to locate the missing individuals and recover victims.

Rescue endeavors are facing severe challenges due to the rugged mountain terrain and persistent adverse conditions. Emergency officials noted that the ongoing operation is further complicated by a heightened risk of additional avalanches in the zone.