Russia: Over 500 tourists isolated following landslide in Elbrus September 1

Event

A landslide in Elbrus district (Kabardino-Balkaria), located in the Russian Caucasus, isolated over 500 tourists and 7700 local residents from the rest of Kabardino-Balkaria on Friday, September 1. According to Russian Emergencies Ministry reports, heavy rains eroded part of the Adyl-Su ravine in Elbrus district, leading to the collapse and blockage of 3 km (around 1.86 mi) of the A-158 Federal Motorway between the towns of Baksan and Elbrus. Five settlements have been isolated by the landslides and gas supply outages have been reported in six local settlements. Two helicopters are already working to deliver necessities to the areas isolated by the landslide. Russian emergency personnel have already evacuated 27 tourists and disabled persons.

​The Russian Tourism Ministry and affected resorts in Kabardino-Balkaria asserted that Friday's landslide poses no further threat to the lives of those isolated in the area, and that communication between the affected area and Russian emergency services has been maintained. Search and rescue teams reported that three cars, with a total of five people, fell into the Baksan River as a result of the landslide; two of the five individuals were rescued, while three remain missing.

Advice

Individuals in the Russian Caucasus are advised to avoid the Elbrus district until conditions improve. Those already present in the affected regions are advised to follow all instructions as issued by local authorities. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is given.