At least 11 people have died and six others were injured after an avalanche struck a group of climbers on Mount Mizhirgi in Russia’s North Caucasus.
The incident occurred in the Kabardino-Balkaria region at about 5 p.m. local time on Sunday, when the avalanche swept down the mountain and hit a group of 33 climbers.
According to local emergency services, 10 members of the group had managed to make their way down the mountain by 9 a.m. on Monday, while the whereabouts of six others remained unknown.
More than 50 emergency personnel have been deployed to the search and rescue operation as authorities continue efforts to locate those still missing.
However, the rescue operation has been complicated by the difficult terrain and the threat of additional avalanches in the area.
Mount Mizhirgi is among the highest peaks in Russia’s North Caucasus.
