Five Bosnian climbers die on Mount Elbrus after storm

A climbing expedition on Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest peak, ended in tragedy after five climbers from Bosnia and Herzegovina died when a violent storm struck high on the mountain. Russian authorities confirmed the deaths on July 26, 2026. Two other members of the seven-person expedition survived and were rescued.

The group encountered rapidly deteriorating weather conditions during their ascent of the 18,510-foot volcano in Russia's Caucasus Mountains on the evening of July 25. According to investigators, the climbers became disoriented as the storm intensified. One climber managed to descend and alert authorities, reporting that two members of the team had become seriously ill at an altitude of approximately 16,730 feet and had died. Rescuers later located a second survivor along with the bodies of the remaining victims.

Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) recovered two bodies at an altitude of 17,550 feet before locating the remaining three. Recovery efforts were delayed and significantly complicated by severe weather, including strong winds and poor visibility, which made helicopter and high-altitude operations unsafe. Authorities have since confirmed that all...