All news

Two people remain missing after avalanche comes down in North Caucasus region

A search-and-rescue operation suspended due to adverse weather conditions will restart after the sunrise, the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations said

MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. The whereabouts of two people are still unknown after a snowslide coming down Mount Mussa-Achitara in Russia’s Karachay-Cherkessia Region on Monday, a source from the press service of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations has told TASS.

"The whereabouts of two people are being established," the source said, adding that 29 phone calls had come to the hotline. A search-and-rescue operation suspended due to adverse weather conditions (snowfall and wind up to 25 meters per second) will restart after the sunrise," the ministry said. Earlier reports said that the missing people were being sought for at local hotels.

According to the emergencies ministry, a snowslide hit a piste in the settlement of Dombai on Monday. Two trailers where the ski gear is rented came under the avalanche, and a caf· was damaged.

The president of the "Dombai" Alpine Skiing and Snowboard Federation, Khadzhi-Murat Marshankulov, was killed in the avalanche, his son Shamil told TASS.

Rescue services said earlier that six people had managed to free themselves from the snow. A pre-investigation probe has been launched.