The bodies of five mountaineers from Bosnia and Herzegovina who died on Elbrus in Russia at the end of July are still in Moscow, and their transport to Bosnia and Herzegovina depends on the Russian bank’s confirmation that payment has been made for the plane by which they should be transferred to Belgrade.
The head of the Mountain Rescue Service (GSS) Zenica, Kenan Hrustanović, told Fena that they are still waiting for confirmation that the funds have been registered in an account in Russia.
“We are still waiting for the bank in Russia to confirm that they received the payment. Given that the country is at war and under sanctions, everything is difficult,” said Hrustanović.
He explained that the funds for transport were provided from the Budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The money was paid by the Government of the Federation of BiH, it was transferred to the funeral society, and the funeral society continues to make payments to Russia,” said Hrustanović.
He added that the bodies are in Moscow and that, after confirmation of payment, the air transport to Belgrade will be paid for.
“The bodies are still in Moscow, where they are waiting for funds to be officially paid in order to pay for the plane that will transfer them from Moscow to Belgrade, and then they will be transported by land to Zenica,” said Hrustanović.
Five BiH mountaineers died at the end of July during the ascent of Elbrus, Russia’s highest peak, after a sudden deterioration in weather conditions. All the victims were from Zenica, two were members of the Zenica GSS, and three of the “Vedro” Mountaineering Society.
The group consisted of seven mountaineers. During the ascent on July 25, the weather conditions suddenly worsened, after which the group deviated from the planned route. Two mountaineers managed to survive and were rescued, while five members of the expedition perished.
Russian rescue services first evacuated the bodies of two victims, while the recovery of the remaining three bodies was delayed due to strong winds and bad weather conditions.
After they were brought down from the mountain, the procedures of identification, autopsy, documentation and organization of transportation of the body to Bosnia and Herzegovina followed.
