Disasters & Incidents
Russia avalanche kills 11, six missing, officials say
An avalanche on Mount Mizhirgi in southern Russia killed 11 climbers and left six others missing, Russia's emergency ministry said Monday.
Rescuers received reports of the avalanche at around 5 p.m. on Sunday on the mountain, which is about 5,000 metres tall and lies near the Georgian border. The ministry's local branch said a group of 33 climbers was in the area at the time.
Ten climbers managed to evacuate on their own, while six others had to be transported out by rescue services, the ministry said. It said search and rescue operations were being complicated by difficult terrain and the risk of more avalanches.
Prosecutors have opened a case into criminal negligence.
Mount Mizhirgi is Russia's eighth-tallest mountain, and the surrounding area of forest and glaciers is popular with hikers.
Update
Prosecutors have opened a criminal negligence case.
Rescuers received reports of the avalanche at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Russia's emergency ministry said difficult terrain and the risk of further avalanches were complicating search and rescue work.
The avalanche was reported on Mount Mizhirgi, near the Georgian border.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 08:45:26 UTC.
Update
The avalanche struck a group of 33 alpinists in the Bezengi Gorge on Sunday.
Russia's emergencies ministry said six climbers were missing and six were injured.
The ministry said 10 climbers descended safely.
Source note: AFP news report published on 7 September 2026 at 07:11:12 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The fate of six climbers remained unknown.
The cause of the avalanche and any possible negligence had not been established.
Video circulating on social media was described as unverified.
Source
AFP news report published on .