Two Turkish climbers die on Russia’s Mount Elbrus, three others rescued

Two Turkish nationals died while climbing Mount Elbrus in Russia’s Kabardino-Balkaria region, and three others were rescued after being stranded, Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed Wednesday.

According to the ministry, five Turkish climbers were reported stranded on Mount Elbrus on April 22. Upon receiving the report, the Turkish Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in Krasnodar immediately contacted officials from Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations earlier on Wednesday announced that the search and rescue operation had concluded.

The agency said three climbers were found alive and the bodies of two others were recovered. Russia’s Investigative Committee is conducting an inquiry at the scene.

The Turkish Embassy in Moscow confirmed that the two deceased were Turkish citizens and stated it was closely following the developments.

The team split into two after severe weather conditions

The Turkish Mountaineering Federation also issued a statement, providing further details about the circumstances of the incident. The team reportedly split into two after weather conditions suddenly deteriorated during their descent from the summit. Turkish climbers Adnan Sari and Izzet Koseoglu safely made their way down, while Cihan Yildirim, Mehmet Kocaakca and Kazim Guler remained near the top of the mountain.

The federation confirmed that the bodies of Kocaakca and Guler were recovered during search and rescue operations and safely transported from the mountain.

“As the Turkish Mountaineering Federation, we are deeply saddened by this painful loss. We wish Allah’s mercy to our mountaineer friends who lost their lives and offer our condolences to their grieving families and the mountaineering community,” the statement said. “We sincerely thank our Foreign Ministry, consular officials and Russian authorities for their support in this difficult process.”

Two Turkish climbers dead, three rescued after being stranded on Mount Elbrus in Russia's Kabardino-Balkaria region, confirms Foreign Ministry pic.twitter.com/jNDOZw5DGj

— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) April 23, 2025

3 surviving Turkish climbers to return to Türkiye

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that two of the climbers managed to descend the mountain without assistance. “The other three citizens were reached today. Unfortunately, two of our citizens lost their lives. The other citizen has been taken under medical treatment,” the statement said.

The three survivors are expected to return to Türkiye on Thursday, the ministry added.

Personnel from the Turkish Consulate General in Krasnodar, who traveled to the region, are overseeing the transportation of the bodies of the deceased back to Türkiye.