Authorities in Russia have recovered the bodies of five foreign climbers on Mount Elbrus, the country's highest peak. The climbers are believed to be from Bosnia.
The Incident
According to the local prosecutor's office, on July 24 a group of seven climbers—foreign nationals—was ascending Mount Elbrus. The following evening, due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the group strayed from the route.
One of the alpinists descended and informed authorities that two members of the group had fallen ill at an altitude of 5,100 metres and died. Rescuers later found another surviving climber and the bodies of three other climbers who had died.
Confirmation
Bosnia's foreign minister, Elmedin Konakovic, confirmed the deaths, describing them as "a major tragedy."
Bosnian media reported that the seven members of the climbing expedition were residents of the central town of Zenica. The group included a married couple and a female doctor who worked at the local hospital.
Weather Conditions
Mount Elbrus, which rises to 5,642 metres just north of the border with Georgia, is notorious for sudden changes in weather and climbing conditions. Russian media reported that adverse weather, including strong winds, complicated the search and recovery operations.
