Avalanche strikes climbers in Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria region

On Sunday afternoon, September 6, 2026, a deadly avalanche struck a group of 33 climbers in the Bezengi Gorge, located in the Kabardino-Balkaria region of the Russian North Caucasus. According to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), 11 people were killed in the incident, while six others sustained injuries. Ten members of the group managed to descend safely on their own, while the fate of six additional individuals remained unknown as of Monday morning. Some reports, such as those referencing preliminary social media data, initially suggested varying casualty figures, but official government sources have confirmed the death toll at 11.

A large-scale search and rescue operation involving 56 emergency responders is currently underway in the difficult, high-altitude terrain. The rescue teams are facing significant challenges due to the rugged geography and the persistent risk of further avalanches. The Bezengi Gorge is a well-known mountaineering location, home to high-altitude glaciers, which complicates the rescue efforts. Authorities continue to search for the remaining missing individuals despite the hazardous weather and environmental conditions.