Missing tourists from Astrakhan found in Karachay-Cherkessia

Rescuers have found two tourists from Astrakhan who went missing the day before in the mountains of Karachay-Cherkessia. Their health is not in danger.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," 24-year-old Victoria and 25-year-old Daria from Astrakhan did not return from a hiking route in the mountains of Karachay-Cherkessia. On May 4, the girls informed their families that they were unable to find their way back to the village; they later went silent. On May 5, a rescue team searched the Mukha Pass and the Arkhyz Saddle in search of the missing women, but found no trace of them. Rescuers later brought in a helicopter to help in the search.

The hikers were at a waypoint along the route, beneath the Ozerny Arkhyz Pass. Rescuers will lower them to the village of Marukha. More than 30 personnel, nine pieces of equipment, and a helicopter were involved in the search and rescue operation, Kommersant reported today, citing the Karachay-Cherkessia Ministry of Emergency Situations.

As a reminder, two Astrakhan residents set out on a hike in the Karachayevsky District and planned to complete the eight-day mountain route in the Zelenchuksky District at an altitude of 2,400 meters above sea level. However, they did not reach their destination by the scheduled time. According to their parents, both girls had experience hiking in the mountains.

The "Caucasian Knot" also reported that in early November 2025, rescuers evacuated a group of tourists to Cherkessk who were trapped in the mountains after a mudslide.