The number of dead mountaineers climbing a volcano in Russia rises to six

MADRID, 4 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

An updated balance by the Russian medical services has reported that the number of mountaineers who have died during the climb of the Kliuchevskoi volcano, the largest in Eurasia, with 4,800 meters high, in the Kamchatka region, has increased to six.

"Another person who was previously unconscious has died. The total number of deaths at the moment is six people," the authorities told the TASS agency.

The deceased were part of a group of ten tourists from Russian regions such as Altai, Primorski, Kamchatka, Moscow, Novosibirsk and Vladimir, and two guides. The victims "fell during the ascent", according to the Prosecutor's Office.

The tourists arrived at the volcano on Tuesday, according to the company that organized the trip, based in Novosibirsk, but the deaths were not known until Saturday, when one of the guides was able to contact the rescue services.

The fall occurred at an altitude of almost 4,200 meters and the evacuation operation is already being prepared. "A helicopter has arrived at the scene and the specialists are working on the evacuation of the victims. The rescuers have to acclimatise, so they have spent the night at an altitude of 3,300 meters. They will arrive at the scene of the tragedy around 6:00 on the 4th. September," the Kamchatka government reported on its website.

Meanwhile, communication with the survivors is maintained via satellite phone. "Tourists have been advised to lower altitude to avoid hypothermia," the Kamchatka government said.

The authorities have reported that an investigation has been launched in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which is based on article 109, a text that punishes the "negligent death of two or more people".