The Ministry of Emergency Situations determined the cause of death of 17 climbers in Kabardino-Balkaria The collapse of a mountain glacier due to climate change caused the death of 17 climbers in the Bazengi Gorge in Kabardino-Balkaria. An official statement was made by the Deputy Head of the First Regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Eldar Khazhuzhev, at an extended session of the Parliament of the Republic for Tourism Development. According to Khakhuzhev, due to the increase of the snow cover line, certain areas of glaciers are exposed. The support that holds the ice masses for many years weakens and cannot withstand the snow load that has accumulated above. The tragedy occurred on September 6 on the slope of Mount Mazirgi. A group of 33 climbers got caught in an avalanche. 17 members of the group died.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations determined the cause of death of 17 climbers in Kabardino-Balkaria The collapse of a mountain glacier due to climate change caused the death of 17 climbers in the Bazengi Gorge in Kabardino-Balkaria. An official statement was made by the Deputy Head of the First Regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Eldar Khazhuzhev, at an extended session of the Parliament of the Republic for Tourism Development. According to Khakhuzhev, due to the increase of the snow cover line, certain areas of glaciers are exposed. The support that holds the ice masses for many years weakens and cannot withstand the snow load that has accumulated above. The tragedy occurred on September 6 on the slope of Mount Mazirgi. A group of 33 climbers got caught in an avalanche. 17 members of the group died.

According to the Russian Mountaineering Federation, the dead and injured were part of a group undergoing scheduled training for law enforcement officials.