At least 11 killed after avalanche hits climbers in Russia's North Caucasus

At least 11 people were killed, and six others injured after ⁠an avalanche ⁠struck a group of climbers in Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria region in the North Caucasus, ⁠local emergency services said.

The avalanche swept down Mount Mizhirgi, one of the highest peaks in Russia's North Caucasus, at around 5 p.m. local time (1400 ⁠GMT) ⁠on Sunday, hitting a group of 33 climbers.

As of 9 a.m. local time on Monday, 10 climbers had made their own way ⁠down the mountain, while the fate of six others remained unknown, emergency services said.

More than 50 emergency workers were involved ⁠in ‌the ‌search and rescue operation, ⁠but efforts ‌were being hampered by difficult terrain and a ⁠high risk ⁠of further avalanches, they said.