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An avalanche on Mount Mizhirgi in Russia's North Caucasus killed at least 11 climbers.

At least 11 climbers were killed and six others were injured after an avalanche struck a group of 33 climbers on Mount Mizhirgi in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria region. The incident occurred at approximately 5 p.m. local time on Sunday in the Bezengi Gorge. Emergency services deployed more than 50 workers to the search and rescue operation. The efforts were hampered by difficult terrain and the ongoing risk of further avalanches. At least ten members of the group managed to descend the mountain independently. While some reports indicated that the group included personnel from the Russian National Guard, the National Guard confirmed that some of the climbers killed were indeed its personnel. The avalanche was triggered by unstable snow and ice or a collapsing section of glacier, though the official cause has not been confirmed.

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