Five climbers have been found dead on Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest mountain, after their group strayed from their route amid rapidly deteriorating weather conditions. Russian officials announced Friday that rescuers discovered one survivor along with the deceased climbers.
Authorities initially reported recovering two bodies and searching for three more from a group of seven foreign nationals who were climbing the mountain in southern Russia on July 24. The local prosecutor's office stated that the following evening, "due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the group strayed from the route."
One of the climbers reportedly descended to inform authorities that two members of the group had fallen ill and died at an altitude of 5,100 meters. Rescuers later found another surviving climber and the bodies of three additional deceased climbers.
Bosnia's foreign minister, Elmedin Konakovic, confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as "a major tragedy."
Mount Elbrus stands at 5,642 meters and is a popular, albeit challenging, mountaineering destination. An estimated 15 to 30 climbers die on the mountain annually, often due to unprepared individuals being caught by sudden weather changes. In a separate incident in January, an avalanche engulfed a ski resort on Mount Elbrus, but no fatalities were reported.