Georgia, Tbilisi, Jan. 11 / Trend N.Kirtskhalia /
Depending on weather conditions today it is planned to start search operations for three Russian tourists caught in an avalanche in the Georgian mountains, Emergency Situations Department of the Georgian Interior Ministry told Trend on Friday.
Four Russian alpinists 44-year-old Sergei Stepanov, his sons 17-year-old Stepan and 19-year-old Max, as well as a family friend 42-year-old Sergei Movchan were caught in the avalanche in Kazbegi region of Georgia. The alpinists came from the Rostov region. Allegedly, only the 19-year-old boy survived.
Search operations were delayed yesterday due to weather conditions. Two Georgian rescue teams have been mobilised at the scene and a helicopter was provided to assist rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the Russian side expressed readiness to join the search operations. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich, Russian rescuers are ready to join the search for rock climbers caught by the avalanche.
"At present, the Russian Foreign Ministry is clarifying the details of the accident. Through the Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi, we got in touch with the Georgian side and were notified of the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry's readiness to provide the necessary assistance and join the rescue operations," he said.