Kabardino-Balkaria Avalanche Deathtoll Climbs to 13 as Rescue Efforts Continue

Sep. 9, 2026 Emergency personnel board a helicopter. Russian Emergencies Ministry At least 13 people are now confirmed to have died after an avalanche struck a group of climbers in the North Caucasus republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, Russian emergency services said Wednesday. The avalanche swept down Mount Mizhirgi, one of the highest peaks in the North Caucasus, at around 5 p.m. local time on Sunday, hitting a group of 33 climbers. Ten climbers had made their own way down the mountain by Monday morning. Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said 12 bodies had been lowered to the Bezengi base camp on Tuesday evening, with the fate of five climbers still unknown. By Wednesday morning, the ministry said rescuers found the body of the 13th climber. Russia’s National Guard said some of its servicemen were among the dead. It also denied reports that the victims included members of its elite Vityaz formation, which specializes in high-risk law enforcement operations. One of those killed was a professional climber involved in training “representatives of law enforcement agencies,” Alexander Yakovenko, a member of the Russian Mountaineering Federation, told the newspaper Kommersant. Search and rescue efforts have been hampered by difficult terrain and a high risk of further avalanches, officials said. Read more about: Kabardino-Balkaria , Natural disasters , Emergency Situations Ministry Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Mudslide Triggers Evacuations, Cuts Water Supply Near Mount Elbrus Around 3,000 residents in the Elbrussky municipal district were left without access to clean water, emergency authorities said. 1 Min read Russia Sends Rescuers to Myanmar After Deadly Earthquake Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry, acting on orders from President Vladimir Putin, sent two teams to assist in search and rescue operations. 1 Min read Emergency Authorities Acknowledge 15 Deaths Nearly a Year After Devastating Orenburg Floods At the time of last spring’s catastrophic flooding, authorities denied anyone had died despite media reporting that multiple bodies were found. 1 Min read Flooding Emergency Declared in Far East Russia’s Sakha Nearly 450 homes and more than 550 land plots have been flooded since the Lena River started overflowing last week. 1 Min read