Malaysians rescued on Mt Elbrus on way home
KUALA LUMPUR: The 19 Malaysian climbers stranded on Mount Elbrus following a mudslide in Terskol village, Russia, are expected to arrive home today.
Harian Metro reporter Fairul Asmaini Mohd Pilus, who was among the climbers, said they were transferred to a nearby airport in Mineralnye Vody before flown to Moscow on Sunday.
“We will fly back to Kuala Lumpur from Moscow tomorrow (today),” she said in a WhatsApp message.
Fairul, who joined a group of 17 climbers, including six women, had planned to fly the national flag on Mount Elbrus, which is Europe’s highest peak, on Merdeka Day.
She said the six women, including herself, were from the Kembara Srikandi Prihatin while the others were from the group Team One.
She said no one was hurt and the situation was not as bad as described by the media.
The Foreign Ministry yesterday said the climbers reached the summit of the 5,642m Mount Elbrus at 8.30am (local time) on Saturday, before being evacuated by the local authorities.
“The Malaysian government expresses its gratitude to the Russian government for its concern and efforts in rescuing the Malaysians affected by the disaster,” read the statement.
It was reported that more than 500 people, including more than 130 foreigners, were stranded in the mountainous Elbrus area of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic in southwestern Russia due to the mudslide, which struck on Friday.