Two missing climbers were found dead following a three-day search and rescue operation on one of Russia’s highest mountains in the North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, the Emergency Situations Ministry said Wednesday.
The climbers went missing on Sunday while attempting a highly challenging ascent of Mount Dykhtau, which rises 5,200 meters (17,060 feet) above sea level and is the second-highest peak in Russia and Europe after Mount Elbrus.
Both failed to contact base camp personnel at their designated time and elevation of 3,800 meters, after which emergency services were alerted.
The Emergency Situations Ministry said it planned to dispatch a commercial helicopter to evacuate the bodies.
Russian media reported that the climbers had arrived from the cities of Nizhny Novgorod and Tolyatti. Regional law enforcement authorities reportedly opened a preliminary investigation into the deaths.
The deaths come after an avalanche on the nearby Mount Mizhirgi killed 17 climbers earlier in September.
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