An avalanche in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria region has killed 11 people and injured six others, according to the regional Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The avalanche struck a group of 33 mountaineers in the Bezengi Gorge on Saturday. Ten members of the group managed to make their way down on their own, while the whereabouts of six others remain unknown.
Authorities have deployed 56 rescue teams to the area as search and rescue operations continue.
The difficult terrain and the risk of additional avalanches are making the operation more challenging. Officials said an Mi-8 helicopter and a commercial helicopter are expected to join the search once weather conditions improve.
