According to the latest news on Monday, September 7th, a serious avalanche accident occurred in the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic in the North Caucasus region of Russia, resulting in at least 11 climbers dead, 6 injured, and 6 others missing.
The incident took place on Sunday afternoon (September 6) around 5:00 pm local time (14:00 Greenwich Mean Time), in the vicinity of the famous Bezengi Gorge and Mount Mizhirgi, one of the highest peaks in the North Caucasus region. A group of 33 climbers was suddenly hit by a massive avalanche.
Bezengi Gorge is often referred to as “the little Mont Blanc of the Caucasus” or the “mini Himalayas,” housing several peaks over 5,000 meters in altitude in the Caucasus region. Due to its steep terrain, unpredictable weather, and extreme difficulty, it has always been a sought-after destination for top climbers and mountaineers in Russia and worldwide. Sudden temperature changes or unstable snow conditions in the area can easily trigger large-scale avalanches.
Videos from the scene captured the massive avalanche cascading down from about 5,000 meters, carrying a large amount of snow and rocks, directly hitting the climbing team in the valley.
Following the avalanche, 10 climbers managed to descend and escape on their own, while the injured 6 have been taken to hospitals for treatment. However, the fate of the remaining 6 individuals is still unknown.
After the incident, Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry dispatched over fifty professional rescuers to the site. However, the rescue operation faced severe challenges as the terrain was rugged and complex, with the mountainous area facing a high risk of secondary avalanches, seriously hindering the progress of the rescue efforts.
Authorities have stated that once the weather conditions in the mountains improve, Mi-8 helicopters and civilian helicopters will be deployed for aerial search and rescue operations, exerting full efforts to locate the missing persons.
(This article references reports from Reuters, Anadolu Agency, and other sources)