A group of seven Bosnian climbers attempting to summit Mount Elbrus on 24 July encountered a sudden violent storm and became disoriented on the mountain. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee in Kabardino-Balkaria, one climber descended independently and reported that two members had died at an altitude of 5,100 metres. Rescue teams subsequently located the bodies of two climbers, and later found three more, bringing the confirmed death toll to five. Two climbers were rescued alive and taken for medical care.

The bodies were discovered at altitudes around 5,350 metres, but evacuation was complicated by continued adverse weather, including strong winds and low visibility. The regional branch of Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry stated that the bodies of the first two climbers were evacuated to the Azau clearing and handed over to investigators. The search for the remaining three bodies was initially suspended due to the weather, but later reports indicated all five bodies had been located and the search operation was effectively concluded.

The group consisted of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bosnian media reported that the expedition included a married couple and a doctor from Zenica. The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on charges of causing death by negligence to two or more persons (Article 109, Part 3 of the Russian Criminal Code). The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are gathering evidence to determine the precise circumstances of the incident.