Five climbers are feared dead after a violent storm struck Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest mountain, according to a Bosnian rescue service.
Russian rescuers continued searching for the missing climbers on Sunday as severe weather complicated recovery operations.
Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said rescuers had saved two other climbers from the same expedition.
Authorities evacuated the survivors from the mountain and transported them for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, rescuers located the bodies of two additional group members at an altitude of 5,350 meters.
Officials said they would evacuate the bodies when weather conditions improve and allow safe recovery operations.
However, rescue teams continue searching for three other missing climbers, while authorities have not confirmed their nationalities.
Bosnian media reported that all seven expedition members came from the city of Zenica.
The group reportedly included a married couple and a doctor employed at a local hospital.
According to Russian media, strong winds and other dangerous weather conditions severely hampered rescue and recovery efforts.
Mount Elbrus rises to 5,642 meters near Russia’s border with Georgia and remains a popular destination for experienced climbers.
However, the mountain is also known for sudden weather changes that can quickly create dangerous climbing conditions.
The latest incident highlights the serious risks climbers face when attempting to reach the summit during unstable weather.
Rescue teams are expected to continue operations as conditions permit, while authorities work to locate the remaining missing climbers.
The incident has also raised concerns among families and officials awaiting further information about the expedition members.
Meanwhile, rescuers remain focused on recovering the reported victims and determining the full circumstances surrounding the deadly storm.
Authorities have yet to provide further details about the climbers’ exact cause of death or the expedition’s final route.
