19 M’sians stranded by Russian mudflow moved to safe place

PETALING JAYA: The 19 Malaysians stranded in Russia following a severe mudflow have been moved to a safe place, said Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister.

Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, in a statement, said they were all doing well.

“We have contacted the National Adventure Association, which is in Moscow for the ‘Kembara Srikandi Prihatin’ (KSP) mission.

“Six ‘Kembara Srikandi Prihatin’ climbers and 13 Malaysian climbers were stranded on Friday at Mount Elbrus following the mud- slide and bad weather that hit Terskol Village.

“All roads at affected areas were inaccessible,” she said.

The KSP team, of six female climbers, was to fly the Jalur Gemilang on the summit of Mount Elbrus on Merdeka Day.

Mas Ermieyati, who is also Puteri Umno chief, said the wing would stay in constant contact with the climbers and obtain the latest updates from representatives of the association.

In a separate statement, the Foreign Ministry said the Malaysian Embassy in Moscow was working closely with the local authorities to evacuate the climbers.

The ministry urged Malaysians who are present around the affected areas to contact the Foreign Ministry at 03-8887 4570 or email dutyofficer@kln.gov.my.

They can also contact the Malaysian Embassy in Moscow at Mosfilmovskaya Ulitsa 50, 115127 Moscow via phone at +7 495 419 9898/+7 495 419 9899/+7 905 7466 944 or by email mwmoscow@kln. gov.my.

The KSP climbers left for Russia on Aug 23 for the mission in conjunction with the National Women’s Day on Aug 25.

The climbers, former breast cancer patient Rene’e Aziz Ahmad, 56; Nurul Huda Shamsuddin, 31; Nir Azmin Adnan, 34; Fairul Asmaini Mohd Pilus, 35; Ummu Farah Haidar Zulkifli, 30 and Fazilah Abd Manan, 41, wanted to inspire Malaysians to believe in their own strengths and abilities.

Mas Ermieyati was at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to provide support and encouragement to the six climbers before their departure.

According to reports, about 300 tourists – including more than 100 foreigners – were trapped in the mountainous Elbrus area of the Kabardino-Balkar Republic in the Russian Caucasus following the mudslide.

Video footage on Twitter showed powerful flows of water washing out the roads at the affected areas.

Over 3km of A-158 federal road has been damaged in seven locations, according to the Emergencies Ministry.