Bodies found of missing Mount Elbrus climbers

Mount Elbrus: photo - wikipedia

Pawel Gostinski and Iranian Ali-Atabi Sirelli had been missing on the mountain in the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, a part of the Russian Federation, since 9 March.

Searchers initially spotted what they believed was a body on Monday while scanning the mountain from a plane. The site was 4900 metres above sea level.

The rescue team has now recovered two bodies.

On 16 March, two backpacks were discovered on the mountain, but adverse weather conditions hampered the search.

The climbers did not register their plans with local authorities. Their disappearance was reported by family-members.

Last month, two professional Polish climbers, Maciej Berbeka and Tomasz Kowalski, died while scaling Broad Peak, on the border of Pakistan and China. The mountaineers had attempted to make the first ever winter ascent of the mountain. Four members of the group made it to the peak, but only two returned. (nh)

Source: PAP