Elbrus summit claims five lives; Zenica expedition members among dead

A tragic climbing expedition to Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest peak, has resulted in the deaths of five citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The group of seven began their ascent on Saturday, initially under favorable conditions. However, the weather deteriorated rapidly, with winds increasing significantly, complicating their climb.

According to the Russian Investigative Committee for Kabardino-Balkaria, one of the surviving climbers managed to descend and report that two members of the group fell ill at an altitude of approximately 5,100 meters. These individuals were presumed dead, while a search began for the remaining four.

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I can only confirm that all the deceased are from Zenica – two members of GSS Zenica and three members of Planinarsko društvo Vedro. Only Haris Adilović and Kemal Vidimlić managed to save themselves.

Later, the worst fears were confirmed: five alpinists from Bosnia and Herzegovina had perished. Kenan Hrustanović, head of the Zenica Mountain Rescue Service, confirmed that all the deceased hailed from Zenica. They included two members of GSS Zenica and three from the Planinarsko društvo Vedro. The survivors, Haris Adilović and Kemal Vidimlić, were taken to the hospital.

Among the victims were Alma and Denis Okanović, both members of GSS. Dr. Meliha Čaušević, a maxillofacial surgeon and experienced climber from Zenica, also lost her life. She was known for her numerous ascents and had previously made history as the first woman from Bosnia and Herzegovina to climb Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia. Nermin Talam and Almir Krivdić, both members of Planinarsko društvo Vedro, were also among those who died. Rescuers were reportedly still searching for one body.

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As far as we have information, they are still searching for only one body, but I cannot confirm for which one. Besides Alma and Denis, who were members of GSS, Dr. Meliha Čaušević, a surgeon at the Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Nermin Talam, and Almir Krivdić, all members of Planinarsko društvo Vedro from Zenica, also lost their lives.