Fourteen also rescued in operation hampered by strong winds, low visibility and sub-zero temperatures
A video image of the rescue operation on Mount Elbrus in the North Caucasus in Russia. Photograph: Russia’s emergencies ministry/ReutersA video image of the rescue operation on Mount Elbrus in the North Caucasus in Russia.
Photograph: Russia’s emergencies ministry/Reuters
Agence France-Presse in Moscow
Five climbers have died after a blizzard on Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, Russia’s emergencies ministry has said.
Thursday’s incident happened when a group of 19 climbers were at an altitude of over 5,000 metres (16,000ft).
Elbrus, located in Russia’s North Caucasus, is the highest mountain in Europe at 5,642 metres (18,510 ft).
“Unfortunately, five people died,” the emergencies ministry said.
The remaining 14 were taken down to the Azau valley below and the rescue was carried out in “the most difficult conditions” with strong winds, low visibility and subzero temperatures, it said.
The company that organised the climb said there were four professional guides accompanying 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”, it said.
The rest of the group continued to the summit but an “unprecedented storm” struck on their way down. One of the climbers broke a leg, further slowing down the group.
Two climbers froze to death and two others lost consciousness and died as they were brought down, the company said. The guides and some of the participants were hospitalised with frostbite.
While the ascent is not considered technically difficult, dozens of climbers die every year during summit attempts.