Russian rescuers have completed the operation to recover the bodies of all five mountaineers from Bosnia and Herzegovina who died while climbing Elbrus.
The bodies of the last three victims were lowered from the mountain to the Azau meadow on Monday, where they were handed over to the investigative and operational group of the competent Russian services. The bodies of two of their colleagues were recovered earlier, thus completing the multi-day operation that took place in extremely demanding weather conditions.
According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, the final operation was completed on Monday at around 4:30 p.m. Moscow time. At the same time, the body of a Russian mountaineer who died in a separate incident was also recovered from Elbrus.
The group consisted of seven mountaineers from Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the climb, the weather deteriorated sharply, after which they deviated from the planned route. One member of the group managed to descend and notify the rescue services, while the other was later found alive and evacuated. Five members of the expedition lost their lives.
The recovery of the remaining bodies was previously delayed due to strong winds, low temperatures and poor visibility. A slight improvement in weather conditions allowed rescuers to continue the operation on Monday at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters.
After the completion of the investigative and administrative procedures, the organization of the transportation of the bodies of the dead mountaineers to Bosnia and Herzegovina will follow. The Government of the Federation of BiH announced the allocation of 70,000 BAM for the return of the two survivors and the transportation of the bodies of the five victims.
