Rescuers have discovered the bodies of two climbers who went missing while ascending Mount Dykh-Tau in the Bezengi Gorge, located in the Chereksky District of Kabardino-Balkaria. Regional branches of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) and the Investigative Committee reported the discovery.
Rescuers have discovered the bodies of two climbers who went missing while ascending Mount Dykh-Tau in the Bezengi Gorge, located in the Chereksky District of Kabardino-Balkaria. Regional branches of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) and the Investigative Committee reported the discovery.
The men, born in 1983 and 1996, set out on their route on September 20. One was from Tolyatti, and the other was from Nizhny Novgorod. They ceased contact after starting the climb. According to EMERCOM, the "Bezengi" mountaineering camp reported the situation at 7:00 PM on September 20; the climbers were at an altitude of approximately 3,800 meters.
Search operations began that same day. On September 22, seven rescuers from the Elbrus High-Altitude Search and Rescue Unit and an Mi-8 helicopter joined the operation. The area was surveyed from the air, but the climbers were not found. The search was suspended in the evening due to darkness, with plans to resume the following morning.
On September 23, rescuers searched the mountain area again and found both men; they showed no signs of life.
The bodies remain in the mountains for the time being. EMERCOM plans to use a commercial helicopter from the company "Heliaction" to evacuate them.
The Investigative Committee is conducting an inquiry, and forensic medical examinations have been ordered. Investigators are establishing the circumstances of the incident.
A large group of climbers had previously perished in the Bezengi Gorge. On the evening of September 6, an avalanche descended from Mount Mizhirgi onto a group of 33 people. Ten climbers managed to escape on their own, while six others were injured and hospitalized. Seventeen people died. On September 12 and 13, rescuers recovered the bodies of the last victims, after which the search operation was concluded.
The Investigative Committee is investigating a criminal case regarding negligence in connection with the tragedy.