Two teams of 14 climbers from Russia and Ukraine went missing late Tuesday on their descent after Elbrus Western summit dedicated the Victory Day on May 9. The bodies of seven climbers were found Thursday at the saddle of Elbrus (5300 meters) two days after contact with them was lost, but could not be recovered due to strong winds that made impossible to land a helicopter.

The rescuers said they might have frozen to death and are yet to be identified. Friday morning rescue works will continue to search other areas for four climbers still left on Elbrus slopes.

36 rescuers, four units of equipment and two helicopters of the Emergency Situations Ministry and Interior Ministry of the North Caucasus Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria are involved in the operation.