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Russian climbers buried under snow avalanche in Georgia

Three mountain climbers died and one was taken to a hospital of the regional centre of Kazbegi

TBILISI, January 10 (Itar-Tass) — Rescuers are searching for three Russian mountain climbers, who were buried under an avalanche in Georgia’s Kazbegi district on the border with Russia, representatives of the district authorities told reporters on Thursday.

The tragedy occurred as four Russians were descending Mkinvartsveri Mount. One young man managed to survive. He was taken to a hospital of the regional centre of Kazbegi. He is safe and out of danger.

According to the preliminary information provided by the regional authorities, other three mountain climbers died. They came from Moscow and on January 2 began to ascend Mkinvartsveri Mount. On their way back they were trapped in an avalanche.

Bad weather and heavy fog hamper rescuers to approach the site of the accident.

The Kazbegi region is located near the North Ossetian section of the Georgian-Russian border. Mkinvartsveri Mount is 5,047 meters high.

In 2011 one Ukrainian and one Turkish mountain climbers died while ascending and descending the mount.

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