Three Polish climbers missing on Mount Elbrus
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
18.08.2015 08:47
Three Polish citizens have gone missing on Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in the Caucasus range.
Mount Elbrus. Photo: wikimedia commons/Alex Svirkin
A search was broken off on Monday afternoon owing to sharply deteriorating weather conditions in the region, which is part of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic within the Russian Federation.
According Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Poles left the official trail at about 5,500 metres above sea level.
Nineteen rescuers from a local unit were sent to search for the climbers, with the team divided into three groups.
According to the Interfax news agency, a backpack containing one of the Poles' passport was found.
However, the sudden worsening of weather conditions meant that the search had to be suspended.
It is hoped that the search will resume on Tuesday.
Mount Elbrus rises to 5,642 metres. In March 2013, a Polish and an Iranian climber perished on the mountain. (nh)
Source: IAR, RMF FM