In Kabardino-Balkaria, investigators detained the organizer of the Elbrus climb, during which five tourists were killed, and several others received severe frostbite and other injuries.

This was reported in the regional investigation department.

As noted in the department, during the interrogation, the climber wrote a confession and "gave a detailed confession."

He is charged with committing a crime under Part 3 of Art.

238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation ("Provision of services that do not meet safety requirements, resulting in the death of two or more persons by negligence").

“The investigator made a decision to detain the suspect.

In the near future, the investigation will go to court to choose a preventive measure, ”the republican investigation department of the TFR told RT.

The investigation of the criminal case is under special control of the leadership of the Investigative Committee.

According to the portal "Kurier.Sreda.Berdsk", the detainee is the senior guide of the travel agency Elbrus.guide Denis Alimov.

He told reporters that he was detained in Nalchik, and on September 28 a trial on the choice of a preventive measure will be held.

Alimov also said that four of his colleagues have not yet been charged.

Two of them are still in the hospital, two more are at home.

Route for beginners

According to the investigation, on the morning of September 23, a group of 23 Russians from different regions of the country began climbing Elbrus.

All of them, with the exception of four guides, were not professional climbers.

Several tourists refused to continue their journey at the first stage of the ascent and began to descend.

19 - continued to climb, despite the worsening weather.

Around 2 pm, a blizzard began, wind gusts reached 40-70 m / s, the temperature dropped below -20 ° C, and visibility dropped to 1 meter.

The guides decided to divide the tourists into three groups, those who could move faster went forward.

The firm is confident that these actions have saved many tourists.

“If everyone walked at the same speed, there would be more victims.

The people were well equipped.

But they stayed at an altitude for about a day - even in special clothes it is a big load on the body, ”the travel agency explained to journalists.

According to media reports, the message to rescuers that there are people on the side of the mountain who need help was received at 19:00.

After that, a search and rescue operation began, which lasted more than seven hours.

Rescuers, who worked in the most difficult conditions, managed to evacuate 14 people.

“Of these, 11 were taken to the Republican Clinical Hospital of the city of Nalchik.

Three people refused hospitalization, ”explained the head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation for Kabardino-Balkaria.

According to the doctors, the tourists admitted to the hospital received frostbite of the second and third degree, one had a fracture of the leg.

According to preliminary data, hypothermia became the cause of death of five climbers.

Certify firms and guides

As of September 27, four injured climbers remain in the hospital.

They all feel well, the Ministry of Health of Kabardino-Balkaria said.

  • Descent of the group on Elbrus

At the same time, after the tragedy, the head of the KBR Kazbek Kokov said that the regional authorities propose to tighten the rules for climbing Elbrus.

“I held a meeting where they discussed the reasons for what happened and possible additional measures, including legislative ones, aimed at toughening the requirements for the climbing rules.

He instructed to form a special working group to develop appropriate proposals, ”Kokov said in his Insragram account.

Earlier, the head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations in Kabardino-Balkaria, Mikhail Nadyozhin, proposed to legislatively introduce certification of companies that organize mountain climbing.

This was reported by the press service of the head of the republic.

“Before climbing Elbrus, you need to undergo acclimatization, this is at least ten days, and travel agencies offer tours for two to four days and raise people, risking their health and life.

At the legislative level, it is necessary to introduce certification of firms that are engaged in this type of activity, "- said Nadezhin.

In addition, he proposed introducing mandatory certification for mountaineering guides, as is done in the professional service of the Ministry of Emergencies.