10 bodies were recovered and 7 are still missing after a group of Mongolian climbers were caught in an avalanche on the highest peak in the Khangai Mountains, Otgontenger Peak (4,021 meters). The Sunday Times reports a group of four women and 13 men aged 30 to 50 were hit by the slide during the mid-day hours of Sunday.
A separate team of 10 climbers managed to make it down the mountain safely.The rescue efforts included 100 people and 2 helicopters. The bodies were found at an altitude of 3,400. Rescue operations were suspended in the evening because of darkness and will start again Tuesday morning.
The Mongolian government has banned climbing the summit since 2015 for safety reasons. Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of the victims and the climbers who are still missing.
[images from bmutse IG, orsoobayarsaikhan IG & wikipedia]
