Five climbers die after severe weather traps expedition on Russia's Mount Elbrus

Five foreign climbers have been found dead on Mount Elbrus, Russia's highest mountain and Europe's tallest peak, after severe weather struck during their ascent.

All the deceased were citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, authorities confirmed.

According to Russian investigators, a seven-member expedition began climbing the 5,642-metre peak on July 24. The following evening, the group reportedly lost its route after weather conditions deteriorated rapidly, leaving the climbers stranded in a remote high-altitude area.

One team member managed to descend and alert rescuers, reporting that two climbers had died at an altitude of around 5,100 metres after falling ill.

Rescue teams later recovered one survivor before locating the bodies of the remaining missing climbers, bringing the death toll to five.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's Foreign Minister Elmedin Konaković confirmed the deaths, describing the incident as "a great tragedy" and expressing condolences to the victims' families.

Mount Elbrus, standing at 5,642 metres above sea level, is Europe's highest summit. The mountain is known for its unpredictable weather, blizzards and harsh terrain, which claim climbers' lives almost every year.