Five climbers die on Russia’s Mount Elbrus

Five climbers died after a blizzard on Mount Elbrus, Russia's emergencies ministry said yesterday, in one of the worst tragedies in recent years on Europe's highest peak.

Elbrus, a dormant volcano in Russia's North Caucasus region, is the highest mountain in Europe at 5,642 metres (18,510 feet) and is seeing a domestic tourist boom due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thursday's incident struck when the weather turned on a group of climbers at an altitude of over 5,000 metres (16,000 feet).

"Unfortunately, five people died," the emergencies ministry said.

The remaining 14 climbers were taken down to the Azau valley below and the rescue was carried out for nearly five hours in "the most difficult conditions", with strong winds, low visibility and sub-zero temperatures, the ministry said.

The company Elbrus.Guide, which organised the commercial expedition, said four professional guides accompanied the climbers.

During the ascent, one of the climbers felt unwell and turned back with one of the guides. She later died "in his arms," the company said on Instagram.

Her guide waited for the others for several hours but later returned to base camp where he called for a rescue team.