The avalanche trapped a group of about 30 mountaineers in Bezengi, in the Russian republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, on Sunday. Eleven are now confirmed dead, and several more are missing.
The group was on Mount Mizjirgi when the tragedy occurred. A major rescue operation is underway.
Kabardino-Balkaria in the North Caucasus is one of Russia's most popular areas for mountaineering and alpinism. Europe's highest mountain, the 5,642-metre-high Elbrus, is located in the republic.
